Celebrating 15 years of giving

The challenges of being a university student come in many shapes and forms. For Charlotte Dutton, they include experiencing the devastating 2022 floods.

Last year, the University of Southern Queensland Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science student’s house in Toowoomba was inundated, and she had to quickly find new accommodation. Thanks to the support of the Goondiwindi Region Scholarship, which she received at the start of her degree, she was able to relocate and continue her studies uninterrupted.

It wasn’t the first time the scholarship had been a lifeline. Earlier, Ms Dutton used the funds to buy her first car and become a member at the local PCYC to undertake driving lessons.

“Having that scholarship, especially when I wasn’t able to get a job, really, really, helped out,” she says.

Ms Dutton is one of 17 students to have received the Goondiwindi Region Scholarship since its creation in 2006. It was established by alumnus Alan Cory and his partner Janet Gibson and inspired by the memory of Alan’s parents and aunt. Alan grew up in Goondiwindi, later attending boarding school in Brisbane.

“My parents and aunt were wonderful, giving people who contributed enormously to their communities and always supported me in any way they could,” Alan says.

The scholarship supports students from Goondiwindi and surrounding districts undertaking full-time study at UniSQ’s Toowoomba campus. It provides recipients with a generous stipend of up to $3000 per year.

Ned Hollis knows first-hand how such generosity makes a tangible difference. While studying for his Bachelor of Engineering Science, the cost of textbooks became prohibitive. Thankfully, a friend who worked at the University suggested he apply for the scholarship.

Today, Mr Hollis works as an engineering technologist for The Macfab Group in Toowoomba. He is keen to return to

Charlotte Dutton Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science and Goondiwindi Region Scholarship recipient

studies in the future to undertake a master’s in mechanical engineering, and is grateful to have received the scholarship at a pivotal moment in his education journey.

“This kind of money could make the difference between a young person’s potential being fully realised, and not. It has the potential to change someone’s entire life trajectory. I know it definitely changed mine.”

Alan, who completed his Graduate Diploma of Information Processing at the University in 1985, was motivated to help the next generation of students who, like him, have to leave their local community to undertake higher education.

“There are a lot of things that can derail a course of studies, but we hope that easing the financial pressure of living away from home will give recipients a better chance of success that leads to a satisfying career of their own,” he says.

“It is incredibly satisfying to know that the scholarship has had a positive impact on young people’s lives”.