Scholarship puts teaching dream within reach

Juggling full-time work, study and motherhood has become a little easier for ECU Bunbury student Kelli Schmitt, thanks to a scholarship for Indigenous students.

The single mother from Bridgetown is studying a Bachelor of Science at the university’s Bunbury campus and hopes to become a science teacher when she completes her degree.

Ms Schmitt was one of three students from WA awarded $15,000 over three years through the 2014 Perth Airport Indigenous Scholarship.

She said the scholarship was a great help because she had two teenage boys.

“I work at a school currently as a science technician, but I want to have more impact, ” she said.

“I want to develop an environmental program which will tie in with Noongar education.

“I can now buy a laptop to do online learning and it will give me enough to buy resources.”

ECU’s office of advancement director, Dr Anthony Medhurst, said it was difficult for students to maintain a balance between work, life and study.

“Scholarships such as the Perth Airport Indigenous Scholarship can make a real difference and help students such as Kelli, Daniel and Kirsty reach their full potential, ” he said.

ECU Bunbury nursing student Kirsty Eades was also one of three students in the State who received the scholarship.

To date 10 ECU students have received grants from Perth Airport.

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