Arcadia Landscape Architecture is delighted to announce that Laree Barney, a proud Kalkatungu woman with connections to Winnam, has been awarded the QUT Indigenous Landscape Architecture for 2021, after impressing the interview panel with her mature outlook and passion for design.
First established at the University of NSW, Australia in 2017, Arcadia offers scholarships for Indigenous students to study Landscape Architecture at eight universities nationally.
“Arcadia established the scholarship to increase the representation of Indigenous practitioners in the Landscape Architecture industry. Having Indigenous students like Laree, on their own personal journey to further develop their understanding of Country and heritage, share their knowledge and perspective with their peers, will increase our industry’s capacity to connect and care for Country,” said Alex Longley, Founding Principal of Arcadia Landscape Architecture.
Laree Barney has commenced her first year of Landscape Architecture at QUT and will be supported with studio experience and mentoring from the Arcadia Queensland team.
“I am honoured to have been awarded Arcadia’s scholarship while I’m studying Landscape Architecture at QUT. I was drawn to this degree because I am passionate about sustainability, design, and the ongoing Care of Country using First Nations knowledge,” said Laree Barney.
About the Scholarship
When Arcadia Principals, Alex Longley and Michael Barnett, realised the poor representation of First Peoples in Landscape Architecture, they launched the Arcadia Indigenous Landscape Architecture Scholarship to address this issue.
The intention of the scholarship is to encourage Australian Indigenous students to enter landscape architecture, as proper representation of Indigenous people in this industry will increase the capacity to care for Country and connect with Country and place and to create better performing, more meaningful spaces which share stories and knowledge, allowing for true custodianship and care.
Image Credit: Nikita Pere
