The Gold Coast Bulletin

The ‘little boy’ who could Double-degree Jason beat the odds

- DWAYNE GRANT Dwayne.grant@news.com.au

PEOPLE like Jason Estival aren’t supposed to graduate from university with double degrees, diplomas and the brightest of futures. And they’re his words — not ours.

“A mentor pointed out to me that statistica­lly it’s a miracle I’m in my fourth year of a combined degree with a diploma on the side,” the 22-year-old says of a journey that has taken him from childhood disadvanta­ge to Smith Family poster boy.

“We did struggle financiall­y. Mum worked her arse off to raise four kids and keep everything afloat but we really did need help at times … I was the first person in my family to ever go to university (and) even now I would still be identified as low socio-economic (status).

“It’s never been something I thought should define me and my mother, brother and sisters would feel the same … but I do appreciate how much further I’ve been able to come than I might have.”

How far Jason has come is largely due to The Smith Family, which first came in contact with him via a Coombabah State School referral more than a decade ago.

Back then, the children’s charity provided support to ensure Jason and his three siblings had school uniforms and didn’t miss out on extras such as excursions.

In recent years, its Learning for Life program has given the Griffith University student so much more – financial assistance, JASON ESTIVAL

learning support, mentoring programs.

“They paired me with a (lawyer) mentor who was patient enough to put up with all the silly questions I had,” said Estival, who is in the final trimester of a double degree in Business and Law and recently completed a Diploma of Language, majoring in Japanese.

“Entering university I had no idea of what was expected of me … it was great to just ask about law school, how to write a CV or what to wear to an interview. Do I need a suit? What colour should it be? Do I need a tie?

“Those things might seem silly or mundane for some but it really helps when you don’t have anyone else to ask those questions of.”

Thanks to Smith Family donors, he has also received more than $10,000 during his university years.

“Having that financial burden removed is indescriba­ble,” says Estival, who lives with – and pays board to – his mother at Pacific Pines and volunteers for various programs at university and The Smith Family.

“I’ve met a few Learning for Life students and a lot of us do end up being a lot more community-minded. You want to give back because of the support they’ve given us … we see what can happen when people lend a hand.

“I honestly can’t say thank you enough. I can’t express the appreciati­on I have for the help and opportunit­y they’ve given me. Someone in my position would have missed out on all this without them.”

I WAS THE FIRST PERSON IN MY FAMILY TO EVER GO TO UNIVERSITY (AND) EVEN NOW I WOULD STILL BE IDENTIFIED AS LOW SOCIO-ECONOMIC.

 ?? Picture: MIKE BATTERHAM ?? Jason Estival is flourishin­g after receiving a helping hand.
Picture: MIKE BATTERHAM Jason Estival is flourishin­g after receiving a helping hand.

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