SWAN Hill’s freemason community has come together this week to award five school leavers with a scholarship to kickstart their university journey.
Recipients were Gabby Atkinson, Otto Conlan, Wilhelm Hawkins, Tess Meney and Ella Rolljicks.
The five St Mary Mackillop College students each received a $4000 scholarship to assist them in their future educational endeavours.
Each student was presented with the Jodie Sharam Knox Memorial Scholarship at the Swan Hill Lodge on Wednesday for their outstanding academic, personal and community achievements.
Chairman of the scholarship committee, James Thompson, said the successful applicants had been impressive.
“The applications that were submitted to us were exceptionally high quality,” he said.
“The successful students all had impressive academic records and strong involvement with the community.
“It is great to be able to invest in their future.”
The highly regarded scholarship has a 36-year history.
Formally known as the Tresco Scholarship, it was renamed the Jodie Sharam Knox Memorial Scholarship in 2022 in honour of past recipient Jodie Sharam who passed away from cancer.
It was Jodie who suggested using freemasons fundraising proceeds towards a tertiary scholarship program and this suggestion was put forward by her mother and her father (a past Tresco Lodge member).
Gabby Atkinson’s recent achievements include Kwong Kee Young Scholar and Physical Education Award of Excellence.
She will attend Australian Catholic University to study a Bachelor of Paramedicine.
Otto Conlan was recognised for his recent achievements including the Principal’s Award 2024 and the Australian Defence Force’s Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award 2024.
He will be attending Australian Catholic University to pursue a double degree in Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Paramedicine.
Wilhelm Hawkins has received numerous awards such as earning a Certificate of Excellence in Physical Education and Tension House Captain.
He has chosen Charles Sturt University as the place where he will pursue a Bachelor of Physiotherapy.
Tess Meney obtained the Marraboor Pharmacy Award along with her involvement as a 2024 Quick Smart Tutor volunteer.
She will be heading to Monash University to study a Bachelor of Environmental Science.
Ella Rolljicks who was the Captain of the Environment Committee will be attending Deakin University to pursue a Bachelor of Radiology and Medical Imaging.
