With the University and TAFE academic years in full swing, dozens of bright-eyed students have recently learned they have been awarded a Bendigo and Adelaide Bank funded scholarship, with a record $1.3m of scholarships granted this year.
The bank announced 227 students from around Australia will benefit from a range of different scholarships to help them make the transition from secondary to tertiary education, including a young woman from Mount Gambier.
The Blue Lake city’s Moo Sala Win Shew has been awarded one of the bank’s Regional and Rural Scholarships having only moved to Australia four years ago after spending 16 years living in a refugee camp in Thailand.
“As a person who was born in a refugee camp and grew up there, opportunity to study was limited,” Moo Sala said.
“Moving to Australia was a whole new world for me and I was afforded a lot more opportunity when it came to my education.
“Whilst in my English Intensive Program, my teacher organised work experience for me to explore what I want to do for my future career.
“After doing work experience in clinic and a hospital, all I wanted to be was a nurse or to work in the healthcare industry.
“I have recently started my Bachelor of Public Health at the University of South Australia in Adelaide and this scholarship will be a tremendous help in my transition from Mount Gambier to the city.”
The record-breaking amount of scholarships came after a surge in applications for the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank program, with the bank experiencing a staggering 62% increase in applications, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for opportunities in further education.
Interim Chair of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Vicki Carter said it was particularly noteworthy there was growing support for TAFE scholarships, showing the substantial demand for vocational education opportunities, particularly in regional and rural areas.
Ms Carter said the program, now in its 17th year, was run by the Bank’s charitable arm Community Enterprise Foundation and provided students with the opportunity to access a range of scholarships – up to the value of $8000 – to help ease the financial burden associated with the transition to tertiary education.
Focussed on supporting regional, rural, Indigenous, and agricultural students, the program has been running since 2007, supporting more than 1900 students to the value of $13.3m.
The scholarships can be used by recipients to help finance the cost of travel, accommodation, tutoring, course materials or study equipment.
Ms Carter wished the successful applicants luck as they embark on a new chapter of their education.
“Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s Scholarship Program is one of the longest and most successful programs of its kind in Australia,” she said.
“The program aims to alleviate the financial burden associated with the transition to tertiary education, ensuring these bright minds can focus on their studies and future careers.
“The winners represent a diverse array of academic pursuits, spanning health, business, education, science, the arts, and services.
“Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is immensely proud to contribute to the development of professionals in these vital fields, fostering a well-rounded and skilled workforce for the future, especially in regional and rural Australia.
“As we celebrate the achievements of these scholarship recipients, we also recognise the unwavering support from our Community Bank partners and their commitment to education and its enduring impact. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank remains dedicated to empowering individuals to pursue their academic dreams, and we look forward to hearing more about the accomplishments of these students in the years to come.”
Visit https://www.bendigobank.com.au/community/scholarships/ for more information on the program.
