Elder looks back at his study journey with pride
By Greg Chapman
Lloyd Appo, one of CQUniversity’s first graduating students, looks back on his study with pride in knowing that he is setting an example for the First Nations students of the future.
CQU caught up with Lloyd to see where his studies have taken him since he completed a Diploma of Teaching at the then Capricornia Institute of Advanced Education (CIAE) between 1973 and 1975.
A proud member of the Bagirgabara clan group of the Mamu people, Lloyd decided to pursue teaching as he believed at the time there weren’t many Indigenous teachers in Queensland.
“Our cohort was the second group of teaching students on the Rockhampton campus,” Mr Appo said.
While he received offers to study from other institutions, including James Cook University, Lloyd chose Rockhampton as it was closer to his home and family in Bundaberg.
“In 1973, no special entry programs existed for Indigenous students. I and others were on government scholarships, like all the non-Indigenous students and one of the conditions of receiving the scholarship was that we were bonded to teach in government schools for three years after graduating,” he said.
“No special entry also meant that there wasn’t an Indigenous Support Unit for Indigenous students.” Lloyd recalls Francis Locke and Rubeena Roe as two other Indigenous students in his cohort. “I’m sure we all would have benefitted from the community that support units provide.”
Lloyd said he remembered living in the residence on campus and adapting to student life reasonably well and forging fond memories and friendships.
“I found the academic pressures more manageable than those of high school,” he said.
He said that after a few weeks at CQU he was contacted by the Aboriginal Study Grants Scheme (which preceded ABSTUDY), that asked if he wanted to transfer from his scholarship, which he ultimately did, meaning he was no longer bonded for the three years after graduating.
When he finished his Diploma in 1975, Lloyd wanted to teach in an Aboriginal community and answered an advertisement for a position at Hope Vale State School in 1976.
“Unfortunately, the tyranny of distance, travel logistics and classroom commitments did not allow me to attend my graduation, held sometime in 1976,” he added.
He said although he enjoyed the people, the community and the lifestyle, he realised his three years study had ill equipped him to teach Aboriginal students in a remote Community.
“It wasn’t fair on the students, so I decided I should gain experience in mainstream schools and then return to the school, but my return didn’t eventuate,” he said.
“I spent most of my 31-year teaching career as the only Aboriginal teacher in schools with varying numbers of Aboriginal students. This was often challenging, both in the classroom and the school general.
“I believe I was far more scrutinised by some students, parents and colleagues. I’m sure this would have been experienced by many Indigenous teachers.”
Lloyd also spent five years as an Education Officer Special Duties in the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Education Unit of Queensland Education Department in Brisbane.
“We provided support to the Education Department personnel in all aspects of Indigenous education. I worked in a similar role at regional level in Wide Bay for a further 18 months.”
During his time in Brisbane the Queensland Teachers Union formed an Indigenous Committee and he was fortunate to be a founding member.
As a member of this committee and the Indigenous Committee of the Australian Education Union, Lloyd attended World Indigenous Peoples Education Conferences in Canada, India and New Zealand.
“At the time when I was studying and graduating, I didn’t feel I was achieving anything noteworthy. However, through my teaching, advisor role, union and broader experiences, I realised how the education system largely fails Indigenous students. This realisation has given me some small pride in being one of the first Aboriginal graduates from CQU.
“I’m now retired and have moved to live in a new area. This has posed new challenges, but I am making new friendships by linking in with the local Elders, Men’s Group and Indigenous Health Service.”
