Layneisha Sgro is only eighteen but she is already making waves in the academic world and was recently named the 2016 National NAIDOC Scholar of the Year.

Layneisha is a Nyiyaparli, Bardi and Jabbir Jabbir woman from Broome who is forging a bright future as a scholar and an influential leader of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

Growing up in Broome, Layneisha’s academic promise was spotted early when she was awarded an Indigenous Youth Leadership Program scholarship at the prestigious Presbyterian Ladies College (PLC) in Perth. When she graduated from PLC, not only was she the first of her family to finish high school but she also received the highest 2015 ATAR score by an Indigenous student in Western Australia.

Now at the University of Melbourne, Layneisha is studying Commerce with an eye to moving to study Law and becoming a lawyer.

“My plan is to study Corporate Law and particularly Native Title Law,” Layneisha said.

“I’m chose the University of Melbourne because of its great reputation and I am enjoying studying here but I eventually plan to return home to either Perth or Broome. Long term I’m looking to work in the political arena, not necessarily as a politician but somewhere that I can use my skills and knowledge to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people gain self-determination.”

It came as a complete surprise to Layneisha when she heard she was nominated for the National NAIDOC Scholar of the Year Award, but has taken her win in her stride, recognising that many people, especially young Indigenous people, will see her as a role model.

“I don’t plan to be an inspiration for other young people,” Layneisha said.

“I just do what I need to do to bring about the changes we need in society and hopefully there will be other young women following in my trail.”