Love of learning honoured as part of Ron Shay scholarship for Geraldton students

A pair of young women will go on to save lives and inspire young minds thanks to the legacy of an Aboriginal man with a passion for education. Born in Meekatharra, Yugunga-Nya elder Ron Shay did not let his limited formal education stop him from working to provide for his family and his community. Described as “sponge for learning”, Mr Shay quickly rose through the ranks with Main Roads to become a superintendent who was well-respected by industry leaders across the State. Mr Shay later worked as a TAFE lecturer in Geraldton, with widow Louise Shay saying he would spend weekends teaching their children about camping on country. After he died, the Yagahong Alliance — a partnership between Central Earthmoving and the Yugunga-Nya people — developed the Ron Shay Scholarship for Aboriginal Advancement to further the man’s dedication to providing education opportunities for all. The $10,000 scholarship provides financial assistance to Aboriginal students studying through the Geraldton Universities Centre, with its inaugural recipient Dainira Papertalk about to graduate and start work as a nurse in Port Hedland. Ms Papertalk said the scholarship provided invaluable financial support when she was unable to work during her final practical placements. “So much stress is just gone,” she said. This year’s scholarship recipient is Kim Ryder, a Geraldton mother of five who said she will be pursuing her life’s ambition of becoming a high school teacher. “I always wanted to do teaching but it was always in the back of my head that you don’t see many Indigenous teachers,” she said. “I want to do this for my kids, to show them it is possible.” Scholarship recipients and award winners will be recognised at the GUC’s student graduation ceremony on April 28.