Dolphins fullback Trai Fuller has joined acclaimed author and activist Aunty Ruth Hegarty to encourage students to apply for a Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation (QATSIF) scholarship.

The $2,000 scholarships assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students entering Year 11 and 12 to cover the cost of schooling.

Aunty Ruth, QATSIF's founding patron and author of the award-winning memoir Is That You, Ruthie?, said education was vital for continued Indigenous advancement, even as the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week is celebrated in 2026.

"Education has always been the thing our people can use to change our outcomes," she said.

"It gives young people the confidence to use their voice, to speak up when they see something that's wrong and to talk with pride about who they are and what's happening in their lives."

Fuller, who debuted for the Dolphins in 2023 after helping the Redcliffe Dolphins to their first Queensland Cup title in 13 years, was a QATSIF scholarship-holder at Emerald State High School and also attended St Brendan's College in Yeppoon.

"A good education helped me have something to fall back on, and not just rely on footy," Fuller said.

He's since received multiple awards, including the Petero Civoniceva Medal as Queensland Rugby League's Hostplus Cup Best and Fairest Player in 2023, and the Tony Obst Award for Player's Player every year from 2020 to 2023.

Fuller was also selected for the Prime Minister's XIII in 2025 and the Indigenous All Stars in 2026.

Despite the accolades, the 29-year-old describes himself as a "fella from out in the bush" who tried to show other young people it was possible to realise their potential.

"When I go out on the field, I don't normally say too much, I normally lead with my actions," he said.

The Queensland Public Trustee said the Central Queensland education region, including Emerald State High School and St Brendan's College, had a record 308 QATSIF scholarship-holders in 2026.

They said in total, QATSIF provided 2,479 scholarships this year, using $4.5 million in investment returns generated by Queensland Public Trustee (QPT).

Public Trustee of Queensland CEO, Samay Zhouand, said QPT was the trustee of 20 charitable perpetual trusts, including QATSIF. QPT invests the trusts' capital to generate investment returns - funds the trusts can use for charitable purposes.

"QPT supports Queenslanders through many big life events," Mr Zhouand said.

"Graduating from high school is one of the most important of those life events and we're looking forward to working with QATSIF to help even more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people do that in 2027."

Applications for a 2027 QATSIF scholarship close 31 August 2026, with information on how to apply for a QATSIF scholarship available online.