Local students Ruby Hunt and Jessica Sutherland are the recipients of generous two year scholarships of $5000 per year awarded by the Community Bank Daylesford and District. The scholarships will help fund their study costs in their first years of post-secondary education.
Ruby is studying for a double degree: Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts at Deakin University, Geelong. Jessica is undertaking a Bachelor of Health Sciences with Deakin University at its Burwood campus.
Both students commented on the impact the scholarships had on their studies.
The Community Bank Daylesford District Scholarship came at the perfect time and has already made a difference in my life,” said Jessica. “I was offered an internship with the Department of Education which will help with my career development and in getting some experience. Receiving the scholarship meant I could accept the offer and support myself while undertaking the internship.”
“The scholarship is already helping with paying my rent,” said Ruby. “It enables me to stay on campus instead of studying online by distance. Face-to-face learning is so much better because I can interact more easily with my university teachers. You have to experience being with people. I’m doing a Law degree. Because I’m on campus, I’m actually able to meet new people, be close to legal institutions, and meet professionals in the field. And it will help with making new friends too.
“I would like to thank the Daylesford District Community Bank for this opportunity. It would have been so much more difficult for me to study this year. I probably would have had to take a gap year to work and save a bit more, to afford to study,” she said.
Mark Rak, Chair of the Daylesford Community Bank, said, “We are delighted to provide these scholarships to support local students with their education after secondary school. It’s great to be able to help young people with the next phase of their education.
“We are able to offer these scholarships because customers choose to bank with us. We think our customers will be happy to see young people benefit from their banking choice through these scholarships,” said Mr Rak.
The scholarships are part of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Scholarship Program, which partners with Community Bank branches, Rural Bank and The University of Melbourne.
Scholarship winner, Jessica Sutherland (2nd Right) with Melanie Houghton, Branch Manager, Margaret Hodge, Community Investments Committee Chair, and Joan Janssen, Community Investment Committee member.
