$30,000 scholarship up for grabs

The scholarship, offered to James Cook University students by the QCoal Foundation, is valued at $10,000 per year for three years.

Past recipient Melanie Martyn says the scholarship meant she didn’t have to worry about finances when she moved from Clermont to Townsville to study a Bachelor of Veterinary Science.

“Receiving the QCoal Foundation scholarship has helped me more than I thought it ever would,” she said. “It helped me settle in to my new life in Townsville and find my feet at university.”

As part of her degree, Ms Martyn has participated in multiple placements in the Central Queensland region and she looks forward to giving back to regional communities when she graduates.

“Getting to spend time with people who are passionate about what they do, and the region, is really inspiring,” she said.

“I will definitely be coming back to the area in the future.”

QCoal Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sylvia Bhatia said the fact students from JCU are more likely to seek regional employment was the driving force behind launching the scholarship five years ago.

“The Foundation’s priority is to help build long-term resilience in regional and remote communities, so providing a scholarship to students from these areas to encourage them to bring their professional skills back to the regions is one way to achieve this,” Ms Bhatia said.

“We’re so proud that the four students we’ve had on the program so far have been absolutely outstanding candidates, and are on track to becoming a doctor, geologist, engineer and a vet, which are all much needed professions in regional areas.

“We can’t wait to welcome our fifth scholarship recipient on board in 2020.”

The scholarship is open to Queensland undergraduate students who completed Year 12 within two years prior to studying at JCU, or students who are commencing second year in a Geology or Earth Science undergraduate course.

Eligible students who are passionate about making a difference in regional and remote Queensland are encouraged to apply for the scholarship.

Applications close 31 January 2020. For information on how to apply please visit https://www.jcu.edu.au/scholarships-@-jcu/search/qcoal-foundation-scholarship