Kayla lives in a single parent family battling with long term unemployment. She won’t let her financial circumstances define her and refuses to accept the difficulties she faces passively. She has not given up on her aspiration to make the most of school to do well for herself and her family. With the help of the Harding Miller Education Foundation Scholarship, she has been able to rank in the Top 5 for all of her subjects and achieve a Gold Merit Award and an Excellence in Learning Award.

At the age of 7, Taylor and her two brothers were removed from their home because of domestic violence. She has been moved in and out of temporary accommodation and has since been separated from her only remaining family, her brothers. She is a talented and dedicated student who is thriving at school despite these major upheavals. Her dream is to make the most of her education so can achieve the stable lifestyle that she was not provided as a child. She plans to study literature, languages and music at university.

Chloe’s parents are supportive and encourage her to reach her full potential but since her Dad was injured at work her family has struggled financially. They find it difficult, and sometimes impossible, to afford the costs of uniforms and excursions at Chloe’s school. As a leader in her school and an exemplary student, the Harding Miller Education Foundation scholarship has given Chloe the tools she needs to meet her aspirations to complete both secondary and tertiary education.

Emma’s parents broke up and her Mum became a single parent. As a family they often can’t afford the basics for school and they do not have access to a computer or the internet at home. She finds it difficult and stressful trying to complete assignments without the right books, school supplies or a computer. The Harding Miller Education Foundation has reduced some of the financial burden and stress and helped Emma to pursue her dream career in psychology.

The students at my school don’t understand the extent of their socio-economic disadvantage. To them, it is all they know. The Harding Miller Education Foundation scholarships have led to a fundamental shift in the way that the students view themselves and their prospects for their future. The tools that they receive mean that these students can act on their new found confidence to pursue academic excellence and a brighter future for themselves.

Lisa teaches English as a second language in rural New South Wales. Her student, Isabella, is an orphaned African student that has very recently moved to Australia. Isabella has always been academically focused but must now overcome the hurdle of learning a new language while keeping up with her peers in other academic areas. The scholarship has enabled Isabella to access weekly tutoring as well as providing computer and internet access at home. The scholarship has given her the tools that she needs to achieve her goal of studying medicine at university.