Past Tertiary Scholarship Recipients
2021 University & TAFE Scholarship recipient
CARMELO GATTUSO
NAGAMBIE
Carmelo has begun his Bachelor of Education at RMIT Bundoora.
His mother Pina says that the scholarship has been a big help to the family as Carmelo adjusts to living away from home for the first time.
“Carmelo can now pay for his textbooks and contribute to the cost of living away from home. The scholarship has relieved some of the financial pressure and helped ease the transition.”
“I’m so happy to have a Community Bank in Nagambie that can offer these types of opportunities to local individuals.” said Mrs Gattuso.
2020 University & TAFE Scholarship recipient
ASHLEIGH BUTCHER
NAGAMBIE
Ashleigh is studying Advanced Science Global Challenges (honours) at Monash University and has received a Scholarship of $3,000 towards her studies.
“This course has always meant a lot to me, ever since I heard about it in 2017. I chose Global Challenges because I am passionate about preserving our natural environment and educating others on how they can do that too, so this seemed like a well-suited university course for me.
It has a small cohort of 30 students and incorporates units of Science Communication, Leadership, Networking (Both online networking and face to face) and entrepreneurship. It includes an internship program in your third year and mentors throughout the program.” Ashleigh says.
Ashleigh has had an interesting start to her university studies due to the current Covid-19 pandemic.” Beginning university in 2020 has unique challenges. Studying completely online with no face to face classes and no opportunity for teacher contact or in person study groups means extra time studying and researching individually.” She said.
Ashleigh will use the $3,000 Scholarship to support her on-campus accommodation costs and compulsory university camps. “This greatly eases my pressure to find employment that works around university classes and commitments and gives me more time to study, research and excel in my studies. Thus, increasing not only my university grades but also my mental health.”
2019 University & TAFE Scholarship recipients
KYRA BYRNE
HEATHCOTE
Kyra is currently studying a Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science at Deakin University in Geelong and will use the $3,000 in scholarship funds to assist with the cost of living on campus and purchasing text books.
Kyra lives with a chronic condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and is also on the Autism Spectrum. She has given speeches at universities about her experience as a disabled teenager.
“A couple of years ago I would never have imagined myself to be attending university as I struggled to complete year 10, spending most of the year in hospital.”
“This scholarship is really important to me because it gives me the ability to show others in my situation that a disability can’t stop you from achieving your dream, whether it be attending university or something else. I want to show others that having a disability doesn’t need to act as a barrier to success.” Kyra said.
2018 University & TAFE Scholarship recipients
THOMAS BENNETT
HEATHCOTE
Thomas completed Year 12 at Kyneton Secondary College where he was named Dux of the school for 2017. An excellent achievement given that Tom worked on the family farm each weekend and had no internet access at home for study purposes!
Tom is currently studying a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne and is enjoying the challenges that Uni presents. “We are given huge amounts of coursework to learn in short periods of time, and I’m also enjoying the depth of knowledge that we gain in such interesting fields like chemistry, physics and math.” Thomas said.
Thomas admits that it has been a challenge living in the city “it’s always so busy and noisy and I miss the open spaces and how quiet it always is at home. Not only that but I have more than once found myself quite lost!”
“I am really grateful to have been given the opportunity not only to receive this scholarship, but to promote it and the generosity of the branch to other young rural kids so that they too might have this opportunity to pursue their education further. The money I have received will go towards my accommodation and text book expenses” Thomas said.
EMMA BEADLE
NAGAMBIE
Emma is currently studying a Bachelor of Health Science (Professional) at Swinburne University of Technology in Hawthorn. and will use the $3,000 in scholarship funds to assist with the cost of living on campus and text books for her course.
“Having grown up and lived in rural towns and areas my whole life, I want to undertake further studies in the healthcare field, gain experience in larger metropolitan hospitals and facilities, and bring those qualifications back to rural hospitals, with a focus on targeting barriers related to access to care and the divide that exists between traditional healthcare providers and today’s consumers” Emma says.
AMELIA MORRIS
NAGAMBIE
Amelia attended Euroa Secondary College where she excelled academically. She is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and was appointed to the Orygen Youth Advisory Board - a world leading youth mental health program based in Melbourne as well as founding and chairing her own youth mental health advocacy group in the local community. In addition, in 2017 Amelia was selected as a representative on the Victorian Government’s Youth Congress.
Amelia is currently studying a double degree - Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Arts at Monash University and will use the $3,000 in scholarship funds to assist with the cost of textbooks, travel to and from university and living expenses
Amelia hopes to become qualified as a lawyer, and eventually a barrister. “I'm not entirely sure what area of law I would like to work in, but I do have an interest in criminal law, family law, constitutional law and the drafting of laws for parliament. I would like to employ the skills I develop in my law degree in the Nagambie region when I am qualified.” She said.
“The scholarship means more than I can say. It will help to facilitate my university studies and will ensure that I can focus on them and not have to worry as much about balancing work and study. It will take a huge burden of finances off my shoulders and reduce my stress levels massively. This will be a huge help to me, and I am so happy a program like this exists in Nagambie.” Amelia said.