Sophia Women

Based on a strong commitment to Aboriginal reconciliation a group of twelve retired female Flinders graduates have set up a fund to support female Indigenous students.

Speaking at a morning tea arranged by Development and Alumni Relations team, Sophia group member Ms Jenny Wightman said “I am hopeful that wider Australia society is on the brink of recognising the wisdom of Indigenous peoples.”

The bursary fund was established in 1999 as a response to the inspiration of early Sophia member and physiotherapist Naree Spence, who is now deceased. Ms Spence initiated regular contact with a group of Ngarrindjeri Aunties through a series of meetings known as ‘Around the Kitchen Table’, which allowed the Aunties to convey something of their traditional culture to the Sophia group members. Ms Wightman said the idea of the fund was to provide “a way for ordinary women to contribute to ongoing support for Indigenous women students”.