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Allanah earns engineering scholarship
She’s 17, lives at Noosa and wants to be an engineer like her dad so she can help the Coast building industry grow in harmony with the environment.
Now Allanah Fortington has $5,000 to boost her studies after receiving the University of the Sunshine Coast’s first engineering scholarship.
Allanah is the inaugural recipient of the Les and Mary Hall Family Scholarship, established last year by a $100,000 donation from the Coast-based civil engineering firm Hall Contracting Pty Ltd.
“It means so much to me because it will help with travelling costs and other expenses,” said Allanah, who is in her first semester of a four-year Bachelor Engineering (Construction Management) degree.
“I’ve always loved problem-solving and maths and I enjoy the challenge. I’m proud to be a girl doing well in engineering too.”
She decided to study at USC because it had the right course, convenient location and would encourage networking with potential local employers.
Allanah’s degree was one of two engineering programs introduced at USC in 2008. The second was a Bachelor of Engineering (Water and Sustainable Resource Management).
Head of Engineering Dr Richard White said about 20 percent of USC’s first and second-year engineering students were female.
“I’d be happy with 50-50 because female engineering students tend to be very dedicated, motivated and know exactly what they want to do,” he said.
Dr White said enrolments in both degrees had increased as the importance of infrastructure and sustainability was recognised on the Coast.
“Our programs are consistent with industry and local government requirements for engineers so graduates will be qualified to work locally or across the world.”
Brian Hall, who with brother Peter now owns Sippy Downs-based Hall Contracting, said the donation honoured the commitment of their parents’ company to give back to the community.
“We think it’s a good thing for young students who might not have the financial opportunities to reach their potential,” he said.
“Our business has grown from small beginnings in 1946 to more than 100 staff working on projects across Australia and the Pacific so we want to help produce more engineers.
“It’s good to see more women in engineering. These days they’re definitely putting on the overalls and hard hats and we’re pleased to help boost the education of students like Allanah.”
The Hall Contracting donation enables USC to present an annual $5,000 scholarship to a first-year construction engineering student.
– Julie Gatehouse