Scarlett Magin is a proud Kamilaroi woman and Pharmacy student at The University of Queensland (UQ). Recently, she joined the Reconciliation Action Plan Oversight Committee (RAPOC) to deepen her engagement with reconciliation at UQ.
This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme is 'All In', a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day. We asked Scarlett why she committed to going ‘All In’ for reconciliation and how this decision has shaped her journey at UQ. This is what she said:
"Stepping into RAPOC as a student representative has been such a privilege despite all the anxieties I had coming into it. Can I juggle this on top of my studies? Will I properly advocate for not just the student body, but my people? Was I even worthy to be in the room? However, these voices were quickly hushed when I thought of all the positives that would come out of this experience. And to me, this was my way of going ‘all in’ for reconciliation. This wasn’t just about having another role to add to my résumé but rather making sure that Indigenous student voices are present within a space where decisions are being made about us, not just for us."
"I find that too often these important conversations are being held without the lived experiences of students being meaningfully included, and I took this as an opportunity to help shift that and make a difference."
"The theme ‘All In’ resonates with me deeply as it conveys that reconciliation requires ongoing, active commitment. This isn’t something that sits on the sidelines or only comes up in the calendar during key dates; it’s a continuous responsibility. And this responsibility doesn’t just fall solely on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but everyone in the room needs to be equally committed to learning, listening and acting. For me, going ‘All In’ means showing up to meetings, actively engaging in discussions, speaking up when it matters, and ensuring the perspectives of First Nations students are heard alongside those of professional and academic staff."
"Being part of RAPOC has been both challenging and empowering. It’s reinforced for me the importance of advocacy and showing up in spaces, even if they feel intimidating or unfamiliar. At the same time, it’s demonstrated that change often happens through consistent, sometimes even quiet effort."
"Offering perspectives, asking questions, and holding space for conversations that need to happen has reminded me that student perspectives are not only valuable, but essential to creating meaningful change at UQ."
"This experience has also encouraged me to have more purposeful conversations with my peers about reconciliation and what it looks like to them. Whether it’s starting discussions, encouraging others to engage with initiatives, or putting my own hand up and sharing my involvement, I’ve seen how the smallest of actions can build awareness and inspire others to get involved in their own way."
"Going ‘All In’ is not a one-time decision; it’s an ongoing commitment. For me, it means continuing to advocate, listen and contribute where I can so that reconciliation can be embedded in everyday actions. Real change will only happen when all of us take responsibility and step forward together."
