Veteran’s legacy is encouraging Indigenous voices

Born in 1914, Arno Herpe grew up in Essen, Germany before emigrating to Australia and graduating from the University in 1939. He served in World War II in Papua New Guinea where he gained immense respect for the Indigenous people from Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea who saved his life on multiple occasions. It became his wish to provide them with enduring support.

Through a gift to the University left in his Will, Mr Herpe’s vision is being realised through a valuable bursary offered to students of Indigenous and/or South Pacific descent.

In 2024, the University celebrates 25 years of student support through the Arno Herpe Bursary. Here, current and former recipients Brittany and Cam share how the bursary is assisting them through their studies and beyond.

Brittany Biles

Third-year Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre) student

_{Brittany Biles performing during Arts Centre Melbourne’s Morning Melodies program in 2024 with the VCA.}

Through the support of the Wilin Centre and the vote of confidence I’ve received as an Arno Herpe Bursary recipient, I’m working on growing my confidence and finding my place as an Indigenous artist.

With the support of donors, a lot more is possible for students like me. We get to explore ourselves and see just how far we can go in our journeys while we’re growing up at university. And for Indigenous students, the more welcome we feel, the more our stories can be told.

Dr Cam Raw

Bachelor of Veterinary Science alum (2013) | Lecturer and Assistant Dean (Indigenous), Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science

Growing up in Tasmania, I dreamt of being a veterinarian since I was very young, so I was excited to be accepted into the best veterinary school in Australia. But if it weren’t for the financial support of the Arno Herpe Bursary, I may not have been able to seize the opportunities that led me to where I am now.

_{Dr Cam Raw.}

In my final year of vet school, I went on a placement in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, an opportunity I couldn’t have afforded otherwise. Being a Palawa man, of Tasmanian Aboriginal descent, I wanted to find a way that I could connect my studies to supporting Indigenous communities, and this trip to Arnhem Land allowed me to do that. Now, in my role as Lecturer and Assistant Dean (Indigenous) within the Faculty of Science, this program has become a feature of my work over the past 10 years.

Professor Liz Tudor AM first started  the West Arnhem Land Dog Health Program (WALDHeP) in 2004 to provide essential veterinary services to the communities of West Arnhem. When I went as a student in 2013, it was a small program with just three vets and three students. Ten years later, we are delivering vet services to about 15 different communities in East and West Arnhem Land that otherwise have very little to no access to vet services for their animals.