Environment passion taking Tamara to UK
Geraldton academic Tamara Murdock is chasing her passion for the environment all the way to London.
The 27-year-old has won a Charlie Perkins Scholarship to study a Masters of Science in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management at Oxford University.
Ms Murdock, who graduated with first-class honours in a Bachelor of Science from Edith Cowan University in 2011, said her passion for the environment and Aboriginal heritage had been a driving force in her success.
“I knew from a young age that I wanted to work to protect the environment, I was always passionate about that field of study and in some respect, passion breeds commitment, ” she said.
“I come from a line of strong Aboriginal women who always taught me that I could do anything and always supported me in what I wanted in life.”
The scholarships were launched in 2009 in memory of Aboriginal leader and activist Dr Charlie Perkins — the first indigenous Australian man to graduate from university.
Scholarships are awarded to two indigenous Australians each year.
Ms Murdock is a descendant of the Noongar and Yindjibarndi people and was born in Geraldton.
She works with her mother at the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation.
She said the position had given her the opportunity to work with traditional owners on how to manage their environmental projects and protect their land.
“I work on projects that work closely with the Aboriginal community and make them aware of any issues affecting their land, such as iron-ore mining and fracking, ” she said.
“I want to bring the experience and information I learn at Oxford back to the Mid West and try to effect change.
“I would like to gain a better understanding on funding projects and how we can attract funding — we miss out on a lot of funding because the ideas of the traditional owners of the land don’t match up with the policies.”
Ms Murdock will travel to the UK in October to begin her Masters at Oxford and said she never in her wildest dreams imagined she would be accepted.
“No one applies to Oxford University and thinks they’ll get in. It all just fell into place.”
She said it was important to never forget where you came from and who helped you get to where you are.
“I will forever be indebted to ECU, YMAC and my family for supporting me.”
