April 2019 | Joanne Eisemann

THE DELORAINE & Districts Community Bank® is delighted to again be supporting local young people in furthering their career goals by assisting with education expenses through their scholarship program. For the past nine years the bank has offered scholarships to university students.

This year, the scholarship program was extended to include financial support for students undertaking certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree level studies at TAFE. Telisha Byard of Deloraine was awarded the inaugural scholarship to assist with her Education Support studies. Sarah Larcombe of Westbury has been awarded this year’s Deloraine & Districts Community Bank® Branch tertiary scholarship.

The tertiary scholarship is awarded to a first-time student whose financial circumstances might mean a university degree is out of reach. Both young women are excited to be receiving scholarships. Talisha will study at TAFE’s Alanvale campus and chose to study Education Support because

“I’ve always wanted to work with children within a school environment.” “I’m so grateful … because I now have a chance to get the qualifications I need to achieve my dream job as a teacher assistant.” Sarah has a similar story to tell. Her dream to become a vet began at age 4, “and now I’m taking the first real step towards that dream. In the fourteen years since telling my parents that I wanted to be a vet, there has not been a single doubt in my mind that it’s what I’m meant to do.

“Getting into Vet Science has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life, being both academically and emotionally strenuous. However, with the tremendous amounts of support from those around me, I managed to stay focused on my goal, whilst living a life full of fun and love. “Living away from home for the first time, studying at a university approximately 1000km away from the place I’ve called home my entire life, definitely comes with its challenges.

The stresses of university can be overwhelming; however, this scholarship has lifted an enormous weight off my shoulders,” shares Sarah. Sarah plans to bring her skills back to the Valley when she finishes her studies. “To be able to work within the Meander Valley as a veterinarian is my absolute end goal.

The opportunity to give back to the community which has given me so much is something I truly aspire to.” Simon Rootes, Branch Manager of the Deloraine & Districts Community Bank® Branch, said that both Sarah and Telisha were deserving winners.