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Recipients' videos
Recipients' stories
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Cecilia Wade
B Applied Science (Environmental Science) 2005
QUT Learning Potential Fund recipient
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When I finally got the opportunity to study at university at age 29, after leaving high school at year 10, I wanted to put everything I had into my studies to ensure I got good grades. By the time I graduated, I had made the Dean's List with a grade point average of 6.25.
Financially it was tough – I lived on a red and white diet of home brand pasta and sauce and occasional food parcels from the student guild. It was humbling at times, but well worth it.
I spent all my time in the library using the free resources available. It made me realise that if you're determined to learn, all you really need is a pen and paper.
The $2000 Learning Potential Fund scholarship lifted a heavy weight off my shoulders. It gave me a sense of moral support. I felt like I was a valued member of the university community. Around the same time I got the scholarship, my marks started improving.
Graduating was a proud moment. Today in my day job I'm working to improve our natural environment as Program Officer, Waste Management at the Brisbane City Council. After work, as MC Cerius , you may see me on stage in a venue near you!
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Melinda Miller
B Education (Early Childhood) 2006 -- 1 st Class Honours
Currently PhD student at QUT
QUT Learning Potential Fund recipient
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In the year 2002, I was a sole parent relying on a government pension. In 2006 I graduated with first-class honours in early childhood education and a university medal for high academic achievement.
Now I'm studying my PhD, working part-time as a research assistant. I have also been awarded a Vice-Chancellor's Initiative Scholarship and an Australian Postgraduate Award scholarship to pursue my PhD.
My achievements are testament to the immense value of the Learning Potential Fund to provide students with the opportunity to alter their life-course despite social and economic difficulties.
I always intended to go to uni, but I thought I would do four years and then head off to teach at a country school. In my second year I was approached to work as a research assistant in the School of Early Childhood , and I have worked there part-time ever since. There will always be an element of regret in my decision to undertake something that took time away from my young son... but I know he has an acute sense of the value of hard work and the benefits that come from commitment and determination.
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Alicia Tongpao
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws student
QUT Learning Potential Fund recipient
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My dream is to work as a lawyer for the United Nations. I come from a large family and I want to inspire my younger brother and sisters so that they too can follow their dreams.
The support I received from the Learning Potential Fund has offered me so much. To keep up with studies in Law, I need new editions of text books each semester - without them, it can be difficult to keep up. The bursary and a reconditioned computer have helped me to study more efficiently. I’m able to balance my study and part-time work and commit time to help others.
My parents came from Laos to Australia when they were 17 as refugees and they know first-hand the difference education can make to your life.
I feel lucky to be at uni, as many of my work mates do not have that privilege. I work part time in hospitality where a lot of young people are employed. I’ve met some that have stopped their education after high school because higher education is so expensive.
I don’t think education should be about money. It’s about having the opportunity to meet your potential.
I am looking forward to finishing my study and my dream is work for the United Nations as a Lawyer and to build a school and an orphanage in Laos. |
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Greg Hayden
Bachelor of Education (Primary) student
QUT Learning Potential Fund recipient
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As a paraplegic, I feel I have an obligation to be a role model to students with disabilities. I’m looking forward to graduating so that I can teach children with learning or physical disabilities.
You could say I’m a late starter to uni. I have always wanted to become a primary school teacher, but I ended up having a family first and working in administration.
At 24, I had a motorcycle accident that left me paraplegic. I spent about 18 weeks in hospital. After this, I went back to studying and swimming. I don’t dwell on the accident too much, but I do think the accident has helped me become resilient to life’s challenges.
I’ve now got the opportunity to study to become a teacher. I’m really passionate about teaching children with learning or physical disabilities. I think I can offer them my life experience.
Over my time at QUT, I’ve received three bursaries. The money has helped to pay for bus tickets, books, stationery, and food at different times. I really don’t know if I would still be at uni without the support.
The Learning Potential Fund provides real help for students who aren’t as fortunate. Students who have been through hard times have so much to offer – they are here because they want to be and they have a great deal of resilience to cope with the challenges of university and life.
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Serge Radojevic
Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws student
QUT Learning Potential Fund recipient
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Since leaving my birthplace, Sarajevo, and constantly relocating as a refugee in a war-stricken country, my life has changed so much. After graduating, I look forward to being able to stand on my own feet, and to help create a better life for my family and my community.
I was born in Sarajevo, in the former Yugoslavia. When I was four and a half, because of war in my country, my sister, my mother and I left Sarajevo as refugees. We moved from camp to camp as conditions in particular regions worsened. At this stage, we were separated from my Dad for nearly three years as he was in the middle of the war in Sarajevo. It was incredibly hard for the rest of us to cope with this, not knowing if my Dad was alive.
When I was eight, my family received a letter from the Australian Government offering families refugee status to come to Australia. It was like divine intervention!
Education has opened up opportunities I never knew existed. Coming from an educated family I was instilled with an appreciation of the importance of education, but only since coming to Australia have I come to realise that it opens a door to a better tomorrow.
The bursary from the Learning Potential Fund has been a huge help. It’s paid for books and helped me with the cost of transport. My ambition is to become a barrister. When I graduate, I’d like to give to the Fund as I know what a difference the support has made to me – I’d like to give that chance to other students.
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Desiree Lyall
B AppSci (Chemistry) graduate
Small business owner of Blue Oxygen
QUT Learning Potential Fund recipient
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When you give somebody the opportunity to empower themselves through education, they then have the power to positively change their environment, their community, and their life.
This is why I support the Fund. I give now, and as my financial status grows, my gifts will grow too.
Education has changed my life. It’s changed my son’s life. Through education, he now believes he can achieve whatever he wants to.
While I was at uni, my ex-husband was diagnosed with acute myoblastic leukaemia. As a result, I had to support my son alone. I had one year to finish my degree, money was tight and my gas and electricity was going to be turned off. I didn’t know how I was going to feed my son, pay text books and get to uni. The Learning Potential Fund bursary was the single factor which meant I could continue and graduate.
Education has changed me. It has changed my son Viktor’s life too. He now believes that he can achieve whatever he dedicates himself to. I feel this is a parenting example which is invaluable.
I think education has the power to change almost everything for the better– it causes a ripple effect which improves your self-esteem, changes your children’s view of you, and even in turn changes your whole community environment.
My reason for starting my business Blue Oxygen was to be readily accessed by the local community as a scientist. I really want to change my local community. Now I feel I have a responsibility to give back and continue to say thank you.
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Geraldine Parker
Bachelor of Nursing / Bachelor of Health Science student (Public Health)
QUT Learning Potential Fund recipient
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Somewhere deep down, I knew I wanted to be a nurse. I applied to QUT, and will never forget the elation of the moment I learned that I'd been accepted. Then reality hit. I was studying a double degree. Money was tight. I couldn't afford text books, nor could I afford to spend all night at the library. My kids needed me home.
When I left school back in the 80's, I had never considered that I would go to univeristy, as my ambition was to travel the world.
And I did. I saw the world ... married, and had children. Life rolled along. Then my circumstances changed. As a single mum, I was more focussed on wanting to set a good example for my son and daughter. I wanted to provide them with opportunities that I didn't have.
The $1000 bursary from QUT Learning Potential Fund was a lifeline! It paid for broadband - so I could finally access library resources from home. It bought me a memory stick and helped me pay for a new computer. It literally transformed my life.
In retrospect, without that bursary, I may well have given up on my studies.
I have vowed to pay back that investment in me by making a difference to the world around me as I move into my career. I am blessed that people I don't even know had such faith in me. My education will make a difference.
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