Scholarships

Action on reconciliation
Students supported by our 2019 program
Indigenous Scholarship Program

As proud supporters of reconciliation, and committed to Closing the Gap nationally, we created the Indigenous Scholarship Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students looking to undertake further study.

Since launching in 2018, we have provided ten scholarships totalling $75,000 for students across Australia to study at either university or TAFE, or towards an apprenticeship or traineeship.

Our scholarship program is administered in partnership with the Community Enterprise Foundation. This is the second year the program has run.

Our 2020 program is now closed. Successful applicants will be announced shortly.

How are the scholarships funded?

Community Sector Banking funds the scholarship program directly from its profits.

How are the scholarships governed?

Community Sector Banking manages the scholarship program, and an Indigenous Scholarship Advisory Committee (made up of representatives from Community Sector Banking, and Indigenous customers) determines that year’s successful applicants. The scholarships are administered and dispersed through Bendigo Bank’s Community Enterprise Foundation, in partnership with Community Sector Banking.

Questions?

For enquiries regarding our Indigenous Scholarship Program, please contact the Community Enterprise Foundation on 1300 304 541 or email foundation@bendigobank.com.au To read our 2017-2019 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, click here.

Stay updated on our scholarships
Receive updates on our scholarship program including important dates, eligibility criteria and how to apply.
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Stay updated on our scholarships
Receive updates on our scholarship program including important dates, eligibility criteria and how to apply.
press enter to continue
Our 2020 Indigenous Scholarship Program is now closed. Successful applicants will be announced shortly.
Stay updated on our scholarships
Receive updates on our scholarship program including important dates, eligibility criteria and how to apply.
press enter to continue

We’re delighted to announce the recipients of Community Sector Banking’s  2019 Indigenous Scholarship Program. With more than 100 applications received this year, it was great to see the strong dedication to learning, personal growth and community in the applications. Congratulations to our 2019 recipients listed below and to everyone who applied. For feedback on unsuccessful applications, download the info pack below.

Download info pack
Category 1
2 x 10,000 to study at any Australian university

Brittney Campbell-Fisher

Brittney is from Caulfield in Victoria and will be studying a Bachelor of Midwifery at the Australian Catholic University (ACU). Following her studies, Brittany hopes to provide care within her community and other Indigenous communities in remote areas of the Northern Territory and participate in healthcare programs across communities to assist women, children and families during childbirth.

Kynan Clarke

Kynan is from Dimboola in Victoria and will be studying a Bachelor of Media Production at the Australian Catholic University (ACU). Kynan has a strong passion for his culture and a desire to tell the stories of Indigenous Elders and the untold stories of Australia’s history through film.

Jessica Storrar

Jessica is from Gungahlin in the ACT and will be studying a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery at James Cook University. Once her studies are complete, Jessica hopes to complete her residency in a rural area with a large Indigenous population and is determines to open a rural healthcare centre focused on Indigenous health.

*Due to the high calibre of recipients in this Category, an additional Scholarship has been awarded outside the Scholarship fund.

Category 2
1 x $10,000 to study at the University of Wollongong

After careful consideration and review of the selection criteria, there were no Category 2 recipients.

Category 3
2 x $5,000 to study at TAFE (excl apprenticeships and traineeships)

Lochlan Turnbull

Lochlan is from Oakley in Queensland and will be studying a Certificate III Animal Studies at the Australian College of Veterinary Nursing. Understanding the important role animals play in our lives, Lochlan will look to complete further study following the completion of his Certificate III and hopes to make a positive impact in the lives of the people living in his community as well as the animals.

Skye Gooch

Skye is from Melton South in Victoria and will be studying a Diploma of Community Services and a Diploma of Community Development at Victoria University. Skye hopes to work in Aboriginal communities to bring awareness to, and prevention of, family and domestic violence. She plans to continue her studies and complete a Bachelors in both Community Services and Community Development.

Category 4
4 x $5,000 to study towards a TAFE apprenticeship or traineeship at an approved Registered Training Organisation

Caitlin Cortis

Caitlin is from Walkerston in Queensland and will be studying a Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology at Haynes Mechanical. As the only female Auto Electrician in her workshop, Caitlin is passionate about breaking down barriers and encouraging as many females into apprenticeships as possible.

*After careful consideration and review of the selection criteria, one Scholarship has been awarded in Category 4.

Our 2018 recipients

We’re delighted to announce the first recipients of Community Sector Banking’s Indigenous Scholarship Program. We were blown away by the calibre of the applicants, receiving over 100 applications from around Australia. For feedback on unsuccessful applications, download the info pack below.

Download info pack
Category A
$10,000 ($5,000 over two years) to study at any Australian university

Erica Alchin

Erica will study a Bachelor of Health and Rehabilitation Science at Charles Sturt University (Albury/Wodonga). Erica showed academic promise from an early age, completing HSC maths a year early. She loves data and statistics and plans to join the Army Reserves before going onto Masters of Public Health.

Category B
$10,000 ($5,000 over two years) to study at the University of Wollongong

Kellie Sampson

Kellie will study a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Wollongong. Kellie has shown great dedication to her studies – she gained Cert. III in Aged Care and Cert. IV in Nursing while juggling two jobs and caring for her three children. Kellie, already an enrolled nurse, wants to become a registered nurse and deliver Indigenous health programs, and raise awareness about Indigenous culture in the health sector.

Category C
2 x $5,000 to study at TAFE

Mafi Kailahi

Mafi will study a Diploma in Community Services through TAFE Digital. Mafi has a Cert. IV in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care, and has worked across retail, government and education. Mafi wants to go on to study a Master of Public Health and work with disadvantaged communities.

Kaihla Gibson

Kaihla will study a Diploma in Mental Health at TAFE SA Currently an Aboriginal Community Engagement Worker, the 27-year-old plans on enrolling in nursing, and gaining advanced degrees in perinatal mental health.