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Renae's boost for Indigenous health studies
USC student Renae Silver's dream of working to help people, particularly in Indigenous communities, is coming true.
“I only ever wanted to be a social worker and now I’m in the second year of my degree at USC,” she said.
Renae has received a $5,000 Indigenous health access scholarship from Australian Rotary Health.
When she was growing up in a south-east Queensland Indigenous community, she felt her life was ordinary.
It wasn’t until years later, when the 24-year-old’s relatives were suffering health issues, that she realised the impact of alcoholism, domestic violence and other problems.
“When I was a child running around and playing, I didn’t pay attention to it,” Renae said.
“But when I started studying I realised how dire Indigenous health problems are. I can’t believe it’s happening to this day.”
Ten of the scholarships were announced across Queensland, with four going to USC students including Renae, Nicole Ellis (Biomedical Science), Nicole Willmett (Psychology and Exercise Science) and Judith Whitfield (Social Work).
The four sponsoring Rotary clubs for USC recipients are Mooloolaba, Aspley, Nambour and Redlands Bayside. It is the seventh year the scholarships have been issued nationwide, in conjunction with the Commonwealth Government.
A Rotary spokesperson said the scholarships could make all the difference to students who were struggling financially, especially since Indigenous students were often of mature age and with families to support.
Renae, who has a two-year-old child, said she was the first in her family to attend university. She already has a Diploma of Community Welfare from TAFE.
“I love my USC degree and the support and friendship I’ve received from the Buranga Centre at the University. I wouldn’t want to study anywhere else,” she said.
USC’s Buranga Centre provides study support and social networking for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Renae said the scholarship would go towards travel expenses to and from the Sippy Downs campus as well as a computer and textbooks.
As part of the scholarship, Renae will speak at a Rotary meeting and visit a rural Indigenous community.
– Julie Gatehouse