As we celebrate 150 years of tertiary education in Bendigo, it is important to continue the legacy of educational support in Bendigo, so no student misses out. Gifts will create vital pathways into further studies for local students like Daniel, whose lifelong dream of becoming a dentist was threatened by financial hardship.
“As a kid, I needed a lot of orthodontic treatment. After my first appointment, I made Mum drive me to the library to borrow out all their dentistry books and I just started taking notes! I still have the notebook where I drew all the layers of the teeth and labelled them.”
Daniel devoted himself to his studies and was dux of his school in regional Victoria with an ATAR of 99.75. But despite his strong academic record, the steep costs attached to attending uni weren’t affordable for Daniel and his single mother. The goal he’d worked so hard for was unreachable.
“Financial constraints, coupled with personal hardship, had my family and I convinced that I’d have to forfeit my childhood dream.”
Students like Daniel are part of supportive, local communities, yet the costs associated with university can be insurmountable. Support is needed to empower local students to reach their potential.
When Daniel was awarded a scholarship at La Trobe, he realised that his dream of studying dentistry would become a reality. He was overwhelmed with relief and gratitude; a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
"I saw the email and had to read it like five times. I just couldn't believe what I was reading. Straight away I had to call Mum and let her know. We were both crying on the phone. Up until that point we just didn't think I'd be able to go to university.”
Today, Daniel is in the final year of his dentistry degree in Bendigo, and aspires to give back to regional communities once he graduates. But he knows he couldn't have gotten here without the kindness of donors.
Supporting a scholarship makes a significant difference in shaping the future of our regional community and makes sure students like Daniel don’t have to give up on their career dreams.
Now, more than ever before, the generosity of donors is urgently needed to raise $150,000, so local students can continue to access the life-changing opportunities they deserve.
