For these exceptional uni students, scholarship opens locked doors
When Lotte George was 13, she had an electrical attack while running the 200-meter sprint in high school. Ms George, who competed at state and national levels in mid-distance athletics, was born with an electrical congenital heart condition.
And while this particular attack came mid-run, she finished the sprint, before spending 40 minutes in an ambulance tent. “My heart rate was very high. But then I just went out and did another 400 for my school,” said Ms George, 19.
“I’m very determined.”
It’s a common trait among the six young recipients of the Order of Australia Association Foundation 2023 scholarships.
Order of Australia Association Foundation scholarship winners Roisin Wallace-Nash (left), Bree Harris, Hukam Kohli, Charlotte (Lotte) George, and Chelsea Allen. Louie Douvis
In fact, the only thing seemingly slowing them down is the cost of furthering their educations, with many saying the scholarship opened doors that were previously closed, simply due to the cost.
It comes after the average repayments on student debt jumped $1760 this year, after an indexation rate of 7.1 per cent was applied.
Students and graduates told a Melbourne Institute survey in May that their debts had affected their choices on where to live and the work undertaken.
The Order of Australia scholarship program awards six winners with a mentor from the Order of Australia, and a $40,000 scholarship, paid over two years.
It’s awarded to young people in their second year of university considered to be exceptional in their field of study, who have given back to their community and who can benefit from the financial boost.
Students met with Governor-General David Hurley at Admiralty House in Sydney on Friday.
This year’s recipients include Ms George and Hukambir Kohli, who is undertaking a law and commerce degree, Chelsea Allen, who is studying a bachelor of business and a bachelor of health science and Roisin Wallace-Nash, studying a bachelor of performing arts.
Brianna Harris, undertaking a bachelor of exercise and sports science and Luke Barron, studying a bachelor of marine science, also received the scholarships.
For Ms George, who is studying at the University of Western Australia, the money means she can pay off her $17,000 HECs debt and pursue extracurricular opportunities through her studies that she previously couldn’t afford.
“It really makes a difference in taking that pressure off in the future, and further my studies.”
All of the winners interviewed by AFR Weekend said the funds would be directed to either paying off their HECs debt, helping them pay for accommodation while they studied out of home, pursued honours or masters qualifications, or further studies overseas.
Ms Allen, studying at Swinburne, said she had “definitely closed the doors” to studying a master’s of dietetics due to the cost, but they’ve since reopened.
“It’s just going to help with the ever-present cost of living and the financial restraints that come with that,” she said.
She said her HECs debt and the cost of study had been a concern, and went so far as to pay down some of her debt earlier this year as she was worried about the 7.1 per cent indexation being applied.
“ I think it’s definitely a priority. Education should be accessible to everyone,” she said.
“I think recognising the voices of the younger generation is really important, I think that we often get overlooked because of our age ... And especially young people from rural and marginalised communities.”
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