Learn Globally, Inspire Locally: A Conversation with Maura Solley on the Churchill Fellowship

In this episode of Stars and Stories, MJ catches up with Maura Solley CF to talk about the Churchill Fellowship—an opportunity that allows everyday Australians to explore their passion, gain global insights, and bring that knowledge back to benefit their communities.

A Churchill Fellowship offers Australian citizens and permanent residents the chance to travel overseas for four to eight weeks to investigate a topic they care deeply about. There’s no need for academic qualifications—in fact, you don’t even need to have completed school. The only requirement is a desire to make a difference.

Applications are now open and close 1 May 2025 at 5pm AEST.

Listen now to find out how you can turn your passion into a project that inspires local change.

Learn more and apply at: churchilltrust.com.au/become-a-fellow

Stars and Stories Podcast

Broadcasting straight from the heart of Remote Communities, Black Star Radio brings a fresh twist to local radio with stories, music, and connections that matter. Powered by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), we’re here to amplify voices, celebrate culture, and bring you the latest from Far North Queensland.

 

Meet Maura Solley CF

Maura Solley CF joined the Churchill Fellows Association of Queensland committee in 2017 and has fulfilled roles including Treasurer, assisting with planning social functions, and participating in delivering a regional roadshow.

Maura was the recipient of a Churchill Fellowship in 1999 to discover effective speech and swallowing rehabilitation responses for those needing ventilator assistance in and out of hospital care.

Maura’s fellowship introduced her to tremendously skilled and welcoming practitioners as well as children and adult ventilator users throughout the USA and UK. In the years soon after Maura returned to speech pathology practice and shared her knowledge through clinical work, academic publications, development of multi disciplinary clinical guidelines, and contributions to research.

In recent years Maura’s focus has diversified to build effective communication and swallowing skills in the community across the life span though clinical supervision of speech pathology undergraduates and in her private clinic.