Ian Fairnie, Ph.D., will present a lecture titled “Aboriginal Culture and White Australia” at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19, in Lekberg Hall. Fairnie is the director of international and community life at Curtin University in Perth, Australia.

Simpson College has a sister college relationship with Curtin that provides opportunities for Simpson student to student in Perth. Simpson students studying in Perth must take an Aboriginal Culture course as part of their study load. A service project then introduces the students to the ramifications of what they are learning and how what they learn can impact a culture.

At Perth, Fairnie has created “an opportunity for students to learn more about the Australian culture than most non-Australians ever hear about,” states John Bolen, associate academic dean and registrar. Fairnie has also edited a book featuring Aborigine artwork and developed several service programs working with Aboriginal tribes in Western Australia.

“He is very knowledgeable about the struggles that the Aborigine people face every day in Australia. … I am excited about having Ian here to speak to this subject, something that is dear to his heart,” says Bolen.

The lecture is free and open to the public.