Meet Our First Rumbletown Pathways Scholarship Recipient

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2 minutes read

Takura Matenga, recipient of the inaugural Rumbletown Pathways Scholarship, is ready to rumble.

Aruga is proud to welcome Takura, who was selected from a staggering cohort of impressive applicants for the prestigious $12,000 annual scholarship program.

Currently completing her final semester of a Bachelor of Business at Queensland University of Technology, Takura deeply impressed the selection panel with her dedication to building aspiration among Pacific Islanders and encouraging them to pursue tertiary education.

“The opportunity came about at a really great time for me,” Takura says.

Reading what the scholarship was about, I felt it aligned with my values and what I’m all about – being a trailblazer. When I saw that, it was something I was really interested in.

New Zealand-born and raised in Australia, Takura is the eldest of four children and the first on both sides of her family to attend university. At just 22 years old, ambitious Takura has her sights set on nurturing other young creatives and redefining the role of Pacific Islanders in the creative industries.

Takura has embarked on a 16-week full-time paid placement, gaining valuable knowledge and experience across each of Rumbletown’s agencies – Rumble Strategic Creative (Advertising and Creative), Aruga (PR, Content and Social Media), Romeo (Creative and Digital), Scout Frontier (Media Planning and Buying) and Edison (SME Brand Consultants).

“This scholarship will help me achieve my educational and career goals,” Takura says.

“The experience alone would help me build my networks, gain valuable knowledge from mentors, and see firsthand what it’s like working in the industry.”

I have always wanted to work for independent agencies and the opportunity to intern at all five Rumbletown agencies is something that will help me become an attractive job candidate.

The Rumbletown Pathways Scholarship is a pioneering diversity and inclusion scholarship launched by Rumbletown – Queensland’s leading independent media agency group – in partnership with Queensland University of Technology Business School.

The scholarship was created to not only improve diversity within Rumbletown’s own ranks but also promote industry dialogue about under-representation within the marketing communications industry nationally.

It provides one BIPoC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour), CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) or mature-age QUT student annually with financial support and unrivalled access, experience and mentorship across the disciplines of Advertising, Digital, Media and Communications.

As the first-ever Rumbletown Pathways scholar, Takura represents the brave new generation of burgeoning creative talent storming over the horizon of the digital landscape. Everyone at Rumbletown is excited to work with Takura as she progresses through each agency, starting with Aruga.

After just her first week, Takura says she has already gained invaluable insights and has high hopes for what the rest of the scholarship has to offer.

“I think it will get even more exciting,” she says.

I feel like I will walk away with so much knowledge that I can not only share with my family but also my own networks and the people I’ve met at uni. I’m just excited to share my experience with them.
To find out more about the next Rumbletown Pathways Scholarship, head to rumbletownpathways.com.au