Rhodes Scholarship for Nick Young

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We are delighted to announce that Nick Young, a 2015 Macpherson Smith Rural Foundation/ Youthrive Victoria scholarship recipient has been awarded a Rhodes Scholarship for 2021.

Building upon his Bachelor of Arts (Politics) and Bachelor of Law (Honours) degrees from Monash University, Nick will study for an MSc in Law and Finance and an MSc in Sustainability, Enterprise and Environment at the University of Oxford. 

Driven by his interest in the role of law in decarbonising economic systems, Nick intends to transform the way climate change risks are understood by industry and governments. As a lawyer with multi-disciplinary expertise in finance, environment science and sustainable enterprise, Nick hopes to use his mantle as a Rhodes Scholar to catalyse greater engagement with the climate crisis, the energy transition and issues of sustainability.   

Receiving a three-year MSRF/Youthrive scholarship at the end of year 12 helped Nick attend Monash University. The scholarship also provided him with leadership training and mentoring support as he transitioned into university. Accordingly, Nick was able to settle in quickly, fully engage with academic and university life and make the most of opportunities presented to him. 

“I cannot thank the Youthrive Victoria community enough for their support and the doors they have opened for me. The scholarship, leadership training and mentoring has changed the trajectory of my life. I am so grateful for the connections I have made with people within the organisation and I would like to heartily thank the scholarship donors for their generosity.”

An active member of the Youthrive Victoria Community, Nick has joined the organisation’s board as an Associate Director and is the Program Coordinator of the Branch Out Buddies mentoring program. The program develops opportunity awareness, confidence and aspiration in Year 11 students from regional Victoria. The program’s mentors are young people who grew up in regional Victoria and pursued tertiary education, so mentors and mentees enjoy a shared lived experience of rurality. Nick has also been a mentor and is an enthusiastic supporter of scholarship and alumni activities and initiatives.

As a Rhodes Scholar and a young person committed to addressing the climate crisis and educational inequity in regional Australia, Nick is an inspiring role model. We know he will make a significant contribution to rural Australia and the world at large. Congratulations Nick!

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