Left: Jessica Wright, Bowden McCormack
Right: Michelle Carpenter
Through provision of a targeted prize, Bowden McCormack is a proud partner of Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory. The prize – “Bowden McCormack, Lawyers + Advisers, Prize for Indigenous Excellence in Commerce” – is awarded annually to an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Charles Darwin University Graduate with the highest academic achievement in the Bachelor of Commerce from the previous academic year.
For the academic year completed in 2014, we are extremely pleased to say that the recipient of the “Bowden McCormack, Lawyers + Advisers, Prize for Indigenous Excellence in Commerce”, is Michelle Carpenter, a Ngarrindjeri woman with connections to the Wirangu, Peramangk and Kalparrin people, whose links stem from a descendent of the stolen generation and an initiated man. Michelle was born and raised in South Australia where she lived up until 10 years ago. She then moved to Darwin with her family through her workplace which has enabled her to advance to higher positions.
On receiving the award, Michelle told us: “It was not until I received advice from Charles Darwin University that I was the recipient of this award that I even knew of there even being an award of this kind. I was at first surprised, then excited and then extremely proud of my achievement through dedication and hard work in the four and a half years of studying part-time to complete this degree. I am very honoured to receive this recognition”.
In relation to her future, Michelle said: “My future plans have changed again now that I have completed my degree in that I have already commenced my next degree, the Bachelor of Accounting. I plan to use the skills and knowledge that I will develop to enhance any business both financially and through the resources within the business. I want to show those around me that it is never too late to learn and be an inspiration to others that you can achieve anything that you set your mind to”.
Bowden McCormack congratulates Michelle on her win and wishes her all the very best in her new studies and the direction they will lead.