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Margaret Williams-Weir

Margaret Williams-Weir ( -2015) was an Australian educator, researcher and naval officer. Williams-Weir was the first Aboriginal person to matriculate to an Australian University (shared with Geoffrey Penny), attend an Australian University and graduate from an Australian University. Dr Williams-Weir was a member of the Malera/ Bandjalang People of northern New South Wales.

Education

Williams-Weir graduated from Casino High School in 1956 on a £50 Aboriginal Welfare Board Scholarship. After being offered a scholarship by the University of Queensland, Williams-Weir enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts in 1957. After a semester, Williams-Weir took up an Abschol Award to study at the University of Melbourne, where she completed in a Diploma of Physical Education in 1959, becoming the first Indigenous Australian with a univer­sity qualification. She was offered a scholarship to live at the University Womens' College while completing her studies. Williams-Weir went on to complete a Bachelor of Education, a Research Master's degree (with Honours) and a Doctor of Philosophy entitled Indigenous Australians and Universities: A Study of Postgraduate Students' Experiences in Learning Research at the University of New England in 2001.

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