A leading Indigenous educator at Charles Sturt University (CSU) has been acknowledged for her services to education, particularly Indigenous education, in the Queen’s Birthday Honours announced yesterday.

 

Professor Jeannie Herbert, AM, who was appointed as the Foundation Chair of Indigenous studies at the CSU Centre for Indigenous Studies in Dubbo in November 2009, was made a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM). The citation notes the honour is for ‘service to tertiary education, particularly through improvements to educational outcomes for Indigenous people, and to the delivery of learning opportunities across regional and remote northern Australia’.

 

The Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University (CSU), Professor Andrew Vann, welcomed the honour for Professor Herbert and congratulated her.

 

“Professor Herbert has had an extensive career in education and Indigenous education, and we are delighted that her contribution over many years has been recognised in the annual Queen’s Birthday Honours,” Professor Vann said.

 

Reflecting on the honour, Professor Herbert said, “I graduated as a primary teacher in 1962, have had a very long career in education, and I am still passionate about the importance of education as a means of people being able to build the futures they want for themselves and their families.

 

“Charles Sturt University is committed to bringing about positive change in Indigenous higher education outcomes for Indigenous students from across NSW and around the country. My role enables me to continue my work, although my focus will now be on research and working with people to use research skills and practice as a means to improve their own lives and create more positive futures.

 

“I aim to raise the profile of Indigenous research both within and beyond the University, and to encourage Indigenous people to take up postgraduate studies as a means of empowering both themselves and their communities. Effective community engagement is critical in this process.

 

“This award gives me a sense that my life work, and the effort I have put into that work, has been recognised and appreciated by others in the wider community, and that is a nice feeling to have.”

 

Read more about Professor Herbert here.