Current University Scholars
Klodi Ward
2019 University Scholar
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Klodi Ward |
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| As a former Mansfield Secondary College student, Klodi demonstrated her leadership capacity and commitment to her local community. Klodi was elected as a Mansfield Secondary College prefect in 2018, helping to raise funds for fruit trees and helping to organise the schools ‘clean up Australia day’, while also taking on the role of peer mentor. In her early high school years, Klodi took part in the 6 week ‘Victorian young leaders to China’ program, where she broadened her leadership skills. Klodi is currently pursuing her dream of becoming a midwife, and she is an active participant in the Youthrive Victoria mentoring program. After graduating from Nursing / Midwifery at La Trobe University Bendigo, Klodi plans to return to her local community knowing that there is a shortage of rural health professionals. | ||
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Marwa Ahmed
2019 University Scholar
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Marwa Ahmed |
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| Marwa is passionate about her local community and has been dedicated to achieve her goal of a tertiary education. As a Shepparton High School student, Marwa gained skills in public speaking with the Greater Shepparton Youth Leadership Program ‘Future Voices’ and has been involved in Word and Mouth, Relay for Life, the Police Youth Committee and many more community activities. Marwa has volunteered for various local organisations, helping to plan and run fundraising events, while also being an advocate for young people to live active, healthy lives. Marwa was also a passionate leader and female McGuire College Captain in 2018, excelling in her studies and contributing to various sporting teams. She was also a generous contributor to the Youthrive Victoria Young Rural Leaders Program in January 2019. After graduating from Biomedicine at LaTrobe University Bundoora, Marwa plans to return to her local community as a qualified health professional. | ||
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Elissa Jess
2019 University Scholar
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Elissa Jess |
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| Growing up on a farm, Elissa has always understood the importance of helping. She has a strong moral conscience and a willingness to contribute in both her school environment and in her local community. While studying at Stawell Secondary College, Elissa actively took on responsibility and leadership roles to help her peers, her family and the wider community. She has played sport in various country towns and has volunteered her time to help local groups such as the North Grampians Landcare Group and Stawell Women’s Advocacy Group. Elissa was an enthusiastic participant in the Youthrive Victoria Young Rural Leaders Program in January 2019. She has commenced her Bachelor of Arts/Health Sciences at LaTrobe University Bundoora and is now pursuing her dream of becoming a health professional in her local community, knowing that access to adequate health care in rural and regional areas is often challenging.
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Julia Clugston
2019 University Scholar
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Julia Clugston |
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| Julia has embraced every opportunity to be involved within her school and the Stawell community. As a former Stawell Secondary College student, Julia was a member and captain of many sporting teams and has taken on leadership roles in the school, such as form captain and vice-school captain. Julia has built on her skills with each new position and approaches leadership roles with thoughtful understanding, enthusiasm, and motivation. She has been involved in a wide range of community activities ranging from tree-planting to many local performances. Julia has commenced a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Journalism and Professional Writing and Editing, at Swinburne University Hawthorn with the dream of becoming a Journalist. She is well on the way to achieving her goal to work in a rural newspaper or magazine, where she can share her passion for the environment and understanding of rural life. Julia has been an enthusiastic participant in the Youthrive Victoria leadership and mentoring programs and she is part of the Dream Seeds® workshop presentation team. | ||
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Tayyebah Ali
2019 University Scholar
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Tayyebah Ali |
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| Tayyebah is a strong leader who is committed to strengthening regional communities. As a Shepparton High School student, Tayyebah took part in BEACON ambassador program, which involved leadership training, planning and hosting public events with her peers to address youth issues within the local community. Tayyebah is a committed young woman, who has also volunteered and organized fundraisers for various charities by selling baked goods and seeking donations. Tayyebah has also enjoyed participating in programs at Goulburn Valley Health where she has gained valuable hands-on experience working with hospital staff and patients. Experiences such as this have made her even more determined to become a doctor and give back to her rural community. After graduating from Biomedicine at Monash University Clayton, Tayyebah plans to return to her local community as a rural health professional and become a mentor and role model for other young people. | ||
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Joe Collins
2018 University Scholar
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Joe Collins |
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| Joe has always been a hard-working student and active member of his school community, where after six years on the Tyrrell College Student Representative Council he was elected president in 2017. He is the first member of his family to undertake tertiary study and is studying a Bachelor of Agriculture and Technology at the Bundoora campus of LaTrobe University. In his Woomelang community, Joe has been a passionate volunteer who believes in preserving his town’s services and facilities. In 2015, Joe took on the role of Vice President of the Woomelang and District Development Association where he helped gain funding for a community redevelopment project worth $500,000. In 2016, Joe was recognised for his community service and selected in the Rural Youth Ambassador program. In 2019 Joe is part of the ABC Heywire Trailblazers Program. Joe has participated in the MSRF mentoring and leadership program and MSRF/Youthrive Alumni activities. | ||
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Jakalyn Cooper
2018 University Scholar
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Jakalyn Cooper |
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| Growing up in Mortlake and Warrnambool, Jakalyn witnessed firsthand the support that rural communities can provide. She gave back to her community who had supported her by volunteering at her local football and netball clubs, joining the Australian Army Cadets and the Moyne Shire Youth Council. Jakalyn was also a dedicated student and passionate leader in her school community, excelling in her studies and contributing to the Mortlake College Student Leadership team. Jakalyn has completed first year of her Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne. She is now pursuing her dream of gaining a doctorate and practicing medicine in her local community, knowing that there is a shortage of health professionals in her area. Jakalyn has volunteered for MSRF/Youthrive as a member of focus groups and scholarship support person. | ||
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Phillip Panagiotaros
2017 University Scholar
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Phillip Panagiotaros
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| Phillip is a determined, hardworking and devoted community leader, passionate about rural communities and helping those in need. Growing up in the regional community of Mildura, and attending Mildura Senior College, Phillip was a volunteer at the Mildura Junior Fire Brigade and at the Henderson College where he was an exceptional role model for the junior students. At school, Phillip was Dux of English and Physics. He was a school council representative for ten years, and a College Captain and House Captain. Phillip is studying a double-degree in Mechanical Engineering and Science at Monash University and has a strong interest in environmental issues. Upon graduation, Phillip hopes to return to a regional community and use his qualifications to support the vitality of rural and regional Victoria. Phillip has volunteered for MSRF/Youthrive as a mentor, Dream Seeds® presenter, leadership coach, scholarship support person and mentoring advisory team member.
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Georgia Lee
2017 University Scholar
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Georgia Lee |
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| Georgia Lee is pursuing her dream course of Physiotherapy at Latrobe University Bundoora. In 2016 Georgia was not only a House Captain but also School Captain and Dux at Birchip P-12 School. She is an excellent and enthusiastic netballer competing in regional, zone and state levels. Georgia is passionate about the viability of the small rural community in the future and strongly believes in youth voice and action. Being part of a small country community means Georgia has dedicated her time to many different causes such as Birchip Youth Group and Birchip-Watchem Netball Club. Through Georgia’s various leadership positions, she has learnt the value of the phrase, “Actions speak louder than words.” It takes one person to be active in pursuing their goals and lead by example, to encourage others to commit themselves to a cause. Georgia has been a mentor and Dream Seeds® volunteer for MSRF/Youthrive. | ||
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Leon Polychronopoulos
2017 University Scholar
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Leon Polychronopoulos |
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| Leon is passionate about rural communities and healthcare accessibility. Growing up in Bendigo, Leon’s willingness soon became one of his instantly recognisable traits. He was involved in mentoring and running a homework club for new arrivals and refugee students and regularly volunteered at the local Aged Care Facility. In his schooling community at Catholic College, Leon was elected as a College captain. For his exceptional service to the school and broader community, Leon was awarded the Catholic College Mercy award in 2016. Leon is in studying a degree in Pharmacy at Monash University, Parkville and hopes to study medicine. He aims to help improve healthcare accessibility in rural and regional areas. Leon has volunteered in a number of roles within MSRF/Youthrive including Dream Seeds®.
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Laura Bland
2016 University Scholar
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Laura Bland |
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| Laura was awarded a university scholarship in 2016 after completing her secondary schooling at Yarram Secondary College where she was School Captain. She was part of the Senior Leadership Team and SRC and mentored many younger students. She believes that leaders should make it a top priority to bring people together and empower them. Laura has completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne and plans to pursue post-graduate studies in Medicine after a gap year in 2019. Laura has volunteered for many roles with MSRF/Youthrive including mentoring, leadership coaching and Dream Seeds® facilitation. | ||
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Shanika Jones
2016 University Scholar
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Shanika Jones |
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| Shanika grew up in Valencia Creek and attended Maffra Secondary College. She received awards in a number of subjects and was a respected leader amongst her peers, always leading by example and offering support. Shanika has volunteered with the local CFA and the Mounted Police and Equine Hospital. She has completed her nursing degree through Federation University, Churchill and is doing her graduate year in 2019 at Sale Hospital. She knows how important it is for rural people to feel safe in their environment and to receive emergency medical treatment when it is needed. Shanika has participated in the MSRF/Youthrive mentoring and leadership programs. | ||
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Georgia Rokicki
2016 University Scholar
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Georgia Rokicki |
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| Georgia was awarded a Foundation Scholarship in 2016 after finishing her secondary schooling at Upper Yarra Secondary College. She had leadership roles and received academic awards at school and faced challenging personal adversity in her final year. Georgia has completed her Bachelor of Arts from Deakin University Burwood and is working. She hopes to influence positive change, particularly in the area of youth education and support to disadvantaged students. Georgia has participated in MSRF/Youthrive mentoring and leadership programs. | ||
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Mitch Collins
2016 University Scholar
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Mitch Collins |
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| Mitchell was awarded the inaugural Chris and Marli Tilley Scholarship in 2016. Raised in Victoria’s Wimmera region, Mitchell has an impressive list of community and academic awards. A former student of Stawell Secondary College, he was Vice Captain and a key member of the Student Council. He is studying a Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of International Studies at Deakin University in Geelong. Mitchell is very grateful to the Tilley family and Crowe Horwath, Stawell, for supporting his university studies. He is passionate about supporting rural towns and being a role model for young people. Mitchell has had a number of volunteer roles with MSRF/Youthrive including mentoring, Dream Seeds® facilitation and being on interview panels. | ||
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Former University Scholars
2015
- Claire Oakley – Portland – B Sci/B Ed – Federation University
- Whitney James – Benalla – B Biomed – Monash
- Charmarelle McCarroll – Mortlake – B Biomed – ACU Melbourne
- Jennifer Moss – Tatyoon – B Psych – Federation University
- Kate Maddern – Kaniva – BScAdv (Global Challenges) – Monash
- Jarvis Holt – Kurraca – B Comms (Media) – Swinburne
- Nicholas Young – Warrnambool – BA/LLB – Monash
2014
- Sharon Robinson – Beechworth – B Ed Spec Ed – Latrobe
- Hussain Alamein – Shepparton – B Biomed – University of Melbourne
- Annika Miesen – Bacchus Marsh – BHPE- Federation University
- Laura Dixon – Horsham – B Com – Deakin
2013
- Jake Bray-Butler – Bright – MB BS – Monash
- Molly Watchorn – Ballarat – B Sci – University of Melbourne
- Anna Farrelly-Rosch – Morrisons – B Biomed – University of Melbourne
2012
- Cassandra Roberts – Manangatang – BHS MSW – LaTrobe
- Jacob Chacko – Benalla – B Sci/LLB – Monash
- Stuart Lloyd – Edenhope – B Comp Sci – Monash
2011
- Roy Hammond-Thomas – Trafalgar – BA – University of Melbourne
- Courtney Boyd – Ouyen – BHS M Physio – LaTrobe
- Rachael Tharratt – Lurg – BA – University of Melbourne
Rural Chances Vocational Scholars
2019
- Asha Tuohey – Veterinary Nursing
- Britney Robinson – Commercial Cookery
- Caitlyn Anderson – Photography
- Drew McClelland – Engineering / Fabrication
- Emily Hill – Accounting
- Emily Barnes – Commercial Cookery
- Kayde Taylor – Health Services
- Mathew Thompson – Plumbing
- Mikayla Barwick – Dental Assisting
- Nathaniel Holmes-Brown – Building
- Jake Flavel – Electrotechnology
- Jamielee Kurth – Plumbing
- Tahlia Beecroft – Accounting & Bookkeeping
- Madeleine Kinghorn – Health Practices
2018
- Alexander Newling – Automotive
- Amber Finch – Interior Decoration
- Evan Dorrington – Building
- Grace Simpson – Plumbing
- Jordan Gee – Construction
- Kaelen Suggate – Aeroskills
- Nick Read – Auto-Mechanics
- Regan Hill – Collision Repair
- Rhordan Holt – Mechanical Engineering
- Siobhan Daws – Justice
2017
- Alice Maddern – Individual Support
- Maddy Andrew – Animal Studies
- Allie Gorman – Commercial Cookery
- Emily McErvale – Agribusiness
- Katelyn McPherson – Agribusiness
- Blake Hardingham – Information Technology
- Pearce Watling – Agriculture
