Bequest provides for university scholarships
University studies will be made easier for local students with two $12,000 scholarships to be awarded annually at Warragul Regional College.
Hayden Young of Ellinbank and Cobie Polman-Short of Mountain View were left surprised and overwhelmed upon being named inaugural scholarships winners at the college’s 2017 presentation night.
Hayden and Cobie, who both commenced studies at Monash University, Clayton, in the past fortnight, believe the scholarship will open opportunities and free up time to focus on studies.
The John and Mary Baldwin Citizenship and Scholarship Foundation Award was made possible by a large trust gifted to Warragul Regional College by the late Edith (Edie) Baldwin.
Her family previously donated land to the school which is now an oval off Burke St.
Ms Baldwin, a past school prefect and house captain, was the first of her family to go beyond primary school education. She went on to work in the education system and achieved a PhD.
Hayden and Cobie, the college’s 2017 school captains, said they didn’t know the award existed when they were called up at the presentation night.
“It was a big surprise, very unexpected,” said Hayden.
“I thought what is going on?” said Cobie, “that’s pretty awesome”.
“It opens up heaps of opportunities,” she added. “It frees up weekends. I’ll still have a part-time job but I don’t have to stress about work. It will make study a bit more enjoyable, as I can focus on that.”
“It’s amazing for the school,” said Hayden. “They might be able to entice new students to come. It also motivates the students that are already here.”
Hayden, undertaking a double degree in secondary education and science, is loving university life.
“It’s hard, I’m not going to lie. But it’s rewarding, I guess, being able to make your own decisions.”
Cobie, studying a science degree, is enjoying the different open learning atmosphere.
Cobie aims to work as a flora and fauna conservationist and Hayden a maths and science secondary teacher.
The pair believe their selection was due to hard work in the classroom and taking on the school captain role.
“It goes back to the school’s core values of community, achievement, respect and effort, and just displaying those,” said Hayden.