Melissa’s mindset soon changed when La Trobe University brought its successful Regional Pathways Program to Rochester Secondary College in 2024.
The program offered a supportive environment where students like Melissa could explore their aspirations for university without the hurdles of distance, financial concerns or academic readiness.
Equipped with the skills and inspired by her mother to pursue a career in accounting, Melissa is now halfway through her first year in the Bachelor of Accounting degree at La Trobe. She is also undertaking a cadetship with Echuca accounting firm Lockwood Partners, which she accepted post VCE exams.
“I was certainly worried about getting into university; I wasn’t sure about the pathways or programs and I struggled with migraines, which left me bedridden at crucial points of Year 12,” Melissa said.
“This program was a lifesaver. It saved me in the long run by giving me a conditional offer to La Trobe and growing my confidence in group discussions and team building. It helped me believe that university was within reach.”
One year on, Melissa will return to Rochester to encourage the next cohort of 19 senior students to consider higher education as a pathway to their future career.
La Trobe’s Pathways program in Bendigo has more than doubled since it was established in mid-2024, now operating in seven regional schools with 135 current high school students. Data shows 74 per cent of participants from last year are on a pathway to university.
The program is made possible through philanthropic contributions that support the University’s mission to address the disparity in higher education participation and attainment between regional and metropolitan areas.
Census data from 2021 found only 23 per cent of 19 to 21-year-olds in Bendigo were enrolled at university or other higher education institution, a stark contrast to Greater Melbourne’s participation rate of almost 50 per cent.
La Trobe Pro Vice-Chancellor (Regional) Associate Professor Melanie Bish said the pathways program improved educational outcomes for regional students which in turn impacted the economic and social development of our regions.
“When we invest in regional students, we invest in the future workforce of our communities by creating a pipeline of skilled professionals,” Dr Bish said.
“Our Regional Pathways Program is helping young people see a future for themselves close to home, returning value to their communities through local employment and leadership.”
Following initial support by a local donor, contributions from Agnico Eagle and Coliban Water have helped kickstart the program’s expansion in Bendigo to support about half of the 225 student places planned over two years.
Felicia Binks, Agnico Eagle’s Director of Environment and Sustainability Australia, said they were proud to support a program that opened doors for young people, many of whom may be the first in their family to attend university.
“By removing barriers to higher education, this initiative creates new opportunities and helps close the gap in tertiary participation across our region,” Felicia said.
Since 2019, the program has operated across Victoria in regional communities surrounding La Trobe’s campuses of Shepparton, Albury-Wodonga, Mildura and Bendigo. The program achieves a high success rate of 70 per cent of participants on the path to university.
While the program is made possible through philanthropic donations, further investment is necessary to maintain its presence in Bendigo and serve the schools and students who need it the most.
PHOTO: Rochester Secondary College students and staff with the Regional Pathways Program team at La Trobe and representatives from Coliban Water and Agnico Eagle.
Media enquiries
Jess Whitty - j.whitty@latrobe.edu.au, 0481 383 817
Philanthropic enquiries
Rachel Mason - r.mason@latrobe.edu.au, 0419 114 573
