General News
26 January, 2025
Scholarships spur success
By RUBY HYLAND PAST and present tertiary students are giving credit to the Inglewood Community Bank for their study success. The community bank’s Allan and Dianne Bunnett scholarship has made a significant contribution to Ciaran Gale and My...
By RUBY HYLAND
PAST and present tertiary students are giving credit to the Inglewood Community Bank for their study success.
The community bank’s Allan and Dianne Bunnett scholarship has made a significant contribution to Ciaran Gale and Mya Alexander’s educational journey.
After completing her VCE studies in 2023, Mya was offered a place at Charles Stuart University in Melbourne and with assistance from the scholarship she was able to enrol in the Medical Radiology course and pursue her dream of becoming a healthcare provider.
With the financial aid provided by the scholarship Mya was able to spend her first year at university focusing on settling in and her studies.
“The scholarship gave me the ability to prioritise my studies and not feel stressed and overworked.” Mya said. “After I finish my course, I’d either like to continue studying and become a doctor or come back and work in the community providing healthcare.”
2023 scholarship recipient Ciaran is now heading into his third year of a Bachelor of Science majoring in chemistry and says, “the scholarship was instrumental in me attending university and getting me to where I am now.”
Ciaran is completing his course at Monash University and is considering undertaking a PhD course in research once he finishes.
Also studying at Monash is 2022 scholarship recipient Zekie Johns, who recently spoke with the bank saying “the support from the community continued with the community bank scholarship,” adding that she was really grateful to have received the financial assistance.
While Mya and Zekie have gone into medical fields, past recipients have studied a range of different courses, from law to engineering to agronomy. The bank offers scholarships for both first time university students and first time Tafe students, allowing all students in the community access to financial assistance.
The scholarships which the community bank has been offering for the past 17 years can be used for accommodation, tuition fees, study materials, tutoring or education related travel within Australia. The scholarship aims to decrease the barriers rural students often face when pursuing further education after high school.
Inglewood Community Bank board chair Linda Younghusband says of the program: “we are proud to continue out commitment to support our local young people in pursuing their dreams.”
Applications for the bank’s 2025 scholarships available for local students will close on Monday.