admin@zenithpayments.com.au, Author at Harding Miller Education Foundation

Life at Harvard University

We are incredibly proud to share the story of one of our past scholarship recipients, whose journey reminds us why access, opportunity, and belief matter so deeply. From the moment Chloe dreamed of studying at Harvard University, to stepping onto campus for her very first semester, her experience is a powerful testament to what can happen when talent is met with support.

In the piece below, she reflects on the whirlwind of her first four months at Harvard – the excitement of receiving her acceptance, the courage it took to move overseas on her own, and the academic, professional, and personal growth she has already experienced. Her story captures not only the transformative impact of a world-class education, but also the confidence and readiness built through the Harding Miller Foundation’s community, tutoring, and future success program opportunities.

We hope her words inspire you as much as they inspire us, and serve as a reminder of the life-changing potential of daring to dream.

Happy reading!

“I just finished my first semester at Harvard University, and it’s safe to say I couldn’t have anticipated how much my life would change in just four months!

It was only in March that I called the Harding Miller team, screaming with joy that I had gotten into Harvard. To have been able to realize my biggest dream – one which the Harding Miller Foundation had invested so heavily in – was the best feeling.

Five months later, I arrived in the USA for the first time to commence my studies. Travelling by myself with just one suitcase, I should’ve felt more nervous. But, with the academic and professional experiences Harding Miller afforded me through tutoring support and enrichment events, coupled with the supportive community, I was ready to dive right into this new adventure.

This past semester, I explored economics, politics, and society in classes with leading Economists Jason Furman, David Laibson, and Gregory Mankiw. Outside of the classroom, I worked on a consulting project for a Fortune 500 software company and joined the Crimson Newspaper’s Business board, following in the footsteps of famous figures including JFK and Roosevelt. In between, I fully embraced the American college experience, living in a dorm with five other great girls, attending American sporting games, and making many lifelong friends.

I have loved every minute of my time at Harvard. My life trajectory has changed forever, and I am forever grateful to Harding Miller for helping me dare to dream.”

By[email protected]

Meet our wonderful coach

Stepping into the role of a mentor can be both exciting and uncertain, but for Jo, becoming a volunteer coach with the Harding Miller Education Foundation has been a deeply rewarding six-year journey of connection, growth, and shared courage. Drawing on her own experiences of navigating life after school without a clear roadmap, Jo has dedicated herself to supporting young women through some of their most formative years. In this blog, she reflects on what inspired her to volunteer, the joys and challenges of mentoring, and the profound impact that steady guidance – and patience – can have on a scholar’s confidence and future path.

Enjoy reading her interview!

How long have you been a coach for Harding Miller – when did you join?

“I joined Harding Miller in 2019 and have been a coach for six years”.

Why did you become a volunteer coach in the first place?

“When I finished Year 12, I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do at university. My parents were very supportive but neither of them went to university, and I didn’t feel like I got a lot of direction from my school. So, it was a time that I felt quite lost. I ended up finding what I wanted to do and going to university and have had a successful career. My reason for joining HMEF as a volunteer coach was to be a supportive person for young women in their final years of high school to help support them through that time and through their higher education and career decisions”.

How did you hear about the scholarship?

“I was looking for this kind of volunteer opportunity and saw it promoted through the organisation, Women on Boards”.

What have you enjoyed about being a coach?

“I’ve enjoyed seeing how my relationships with the girls evolve across years 9 to 12, and seeing their confidence grow. Like any relationship, it takes time and effort to build trust and rapport, and it’s great to build that over time and see the girls become more confident in their choices as they progress through school”.

What have you found most interesting about being a coach?

“I’ve been interested to see how some of my scholars have navigated their family’s expectations of what they should study at university and do for a career. Seeing the enormous courage, it can take for the girls to decide for themselves what it is they’d like to do, which may not always align with what their parents want them to do, has been very inspiring”.

What have been your biggest challenges? What strategies did you employ to overcome them?

“Sometimes it can be difficult to get in touch with scholars. If a lot of time starts to pass without being able to make contact, I’ve found it useful to contact Harding Miller and seek their advice on what to do. Sometimes it may be necessary to contact the school, which Harding Miller can take the lead on”.

How many scholars have you coached over the years?

“I’ve coached six scholars and am about to coach two more”.

What advice would you give to incoming new coaches?

“You may not feel like you’re making a big difference in the girls’ lives at first but stick with it! It takes time to build the relationship with them – they will become more comfortable over time and your relationship will grow and change”.

Thank you Jo, and all of our other wonderful coaches who continue to give their time, patience, and wisdom to guide our scholars with courage and compassion.

By[email protected]

Meet Our Alumna Jessica

Discover her journey with the Harding Miller Education Foundation.

In this video, you’ll hear Jessica share her personal experiences as a Harding Miller scholar. She reflects on the opportunities and moments that shaped her journey and speaks about the lasting impact the Harding Miller Education Foundation has had on her education, confidence, and future pathways.

https://youtube.com/shorts/TTN7zeeYw6o?feature=share

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Why Julie Hare’s Recent Education Article Underscores the Urgency of HMEF’s Work

Julie Hare’s recent piece presents a sobering reality: Australia is on track to miss its higher education targets by a wide margin. The government’s ambitious goal – that 55% of young people hold a university degree by 2050 – now looks increasingly out of reach.

The numbers tell the story:

University enrolments have stagnated despite significant investment and policy efforts.
Young people are not entering higher education in the numbers expected, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.
The demand-driven system, once expected to fuel a steady increase in participation, is no longer delivering the results it promised.

This is more than a policy concern – it’s a social and economic warning sign. And it’s exactly why the work of HMEF is more critical than ever.

What This Means for HMEF

At HMEF, our mission is to empower high academic girls in Australian public schools who face economic barriers, to excel academically, realise new opportunities and achieve their full potential. We do this via targeted educational resources and unwavering support during years 9 – 12 and beyond.. An important part of this is the opportunity to complete tertiary education. We work with multiple universities and their equity teams to strengthen these pathways and ensure that our scholars are supported beyond school. The trends outlined in Hare’s article don’t just validate our work with scholars and alumnae – they highlight how urgently it’s needed.

Reaching the young people the system is missing

Efforts to attract students from equity backgrounds into higher education are falling short when it comes. HMEF’s targeted support helps fill that gap – providing mentorship, funding, and pathways for those who might never otherwise access university.

Making education meaningful and accessible

If fewer young people are enrolling in university, the question is why? Cost, perceived value, and confidence all play a role. HMEF addresses these challenges head-on – demystifying higher education, reducing financial barriers, and helping students see a future for themselves in further study.

Turning policy goals into real outcomes

While national targets are important, they mean little without on-the-ground action. HMEF operates at the grassroots level – helping students and families turn ambition into achievement. Our work makes those big national goals feel personal and possible.

A Turning Point

Julie Hare’s article is a timely reminder: the current system isn’t working for everyone. The pathways meant to uplift young Australians are failing to reach many of them. HMEF exists to change that.

Read the full article here: https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/government-failing-to-attract-enough-young-people-to-university-20251006-p5n0f0

By supporting our work, you’re not just helping students get into university – you’re helping create a system that actually works for them. One that sees their potential, supports their journey, and makes success possible – no matter where they start.

If we want to see real change – if we want to turn national goals into personal success stories – we need your support.

👉 Donate today to help girls stay in school, reach university, and rewrite their future.
👉 Partner with us to strengthen pathways into higher education and ensure no capable student is left behind.
👉 Share this message – because awareness drives action, and action drives change.

Together, we can make higher education more inclusive, accessible, and achievable for all.

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From Vanuatu to Cambodia – A Life-Changing Journey

When earthquakes changed plans for an outreach trip to Vanuatu, one of our incredible HMEF scholars found herself on an unforgettable 11-day experience in Cambodia, thanks to the Hive Rotary Club Australia.

Alongside 7 other girls and 4 chaperones, she travelled to Siem Reap to support a program focused on period care education for young girls. “We visited a school and hospital, helped build a well in a local village, and gave out period packs and underwear to young girls,” she shared.
Each participant brought 23kg of donated goods and raised $400 to support the initiative. “We handed out education packs, painted the school, and saw the smiles on the children’s faces when we gave them something as simple as bread and books. It made me realise how good we have it here in Australia.”

There was also time to explore Cambodia’s rich culture and reflect on its complex history — visiting Angkor Wat, the landmine museum, and the Apopo rat sanctuary. A Khmer cooking class and learning traditional silk-making by local women were special highlights. “I’m grateful I was able to participate in something so meaningful. I truly hope to return one day.”

By[email protected]

Exploring STEM, Meeting Nobel Laureates, and Winning Awards — Sophie’s Incredible Story

Huge congratulations to one of our incredible students!

Sophie was accepted into the International Science School at the University of Sydney, where she joined 90 students from around the world – including just five from QLD – for an unforgettable two-week deep dive into STEM.

She described it as “an incredible and inspiring experience!” where she learnt from world-leading scientists in quantum computing, structural biology, and satellite tech. She even met Nobel Laureate Prof. Donna Strickland and her lifelong science hero, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki!

From VR 4D pool and spectroscopy to marine science, gel electrophoresis on marsupial scats, and testing sheep poo in the lab (yes, really!) – the hands-on experiences were unmatched.

To top it all off, Sophie has just been awarded the 2025 Peter Doherty Outstanding Senior STEM Student Award, one of only 15 students across Queensland! As part of the award, she received $5000 to support her STEM journey into university.

We can’t wait to see where your passion and talent take you next!

By[email protected]

Celebrating Public Education Week 2025: Ignite Your Potential

This week, 4–8 August, we proudly join in celebrating Public Education Week 2025, a time to recognise the incredible achievements of NSW public schools, teachers, and students. The theme this year, “Ignite your potential,” is a powerful reminder of the transformative role public education plays in shaping bright futures.

At the Harding Miller Education Foundation, we’re proud to support the mission of public education by providing life-changing scholarships to Year 8 girls who demonstrate academic excellence, face financial barriers and are highly motivated to succeed at school and pursue tertiary education. Like the schools our scholars attend, we believe in equity, opportunity, and the incredible potential of every student.

From early learning through to Year 12, this week we celebrate the strength, diversity, and resilience of our public education system — and the inspiring students who continue to thrive with the right support and encouragement.

Here’s to the teachers who inspire, the schools that nurture, and the students who are igniting their potential every day. 🔥✨

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Meet Bathsheba

We are excited to share the inspiring story of one of our very own. From Scholar to alumna to employee, Bathsheba Sein’s journey is a testament to the power of opportunity, growth, and giving back.

In this video, Bathsheba reflects on how the scholarship impacted her personally and professionally, the key lessons she took away from the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Camp (RYLA), and how those experiences have led her to where she is today! She’s now a valued part of our team, contributing to a range of projects, including video content for our socials.

We’re so proud of her accomplishments and we can’t wait for you to hear her story.

By[email protected]

Celebrating 10 Years of Empowering Girls Through Education!

This year marks 10 incredible years of the Harding Miller Education Foundation! 💗 Over the past decade, we’ve proudly supported almost 1,500 of high-potential Australian girls facing socio-economic barriers.

✅ Over 1,480 scholarships awarded
✅ Investment in education equity
✅ Students supported in every state and territory
✅ A growing alumni network making waves in universities, careers & communities 🌟

Kim Harding OAM and Irene Miller started with a vision of a future where every Australian girl, regardless of financial background, has the opportunity to reach her full potential, lead a fulfilling life, enjoy prosperity and contribute meaningfully to the community.

Cara Varian, as the founding CEO, helped them bring their vision to life – three extraordinary women who believed in the power of education to transform lives. Their vision, leadership, and passion laid the groundwork for the impact we see today.

The Harding Miller Education Foundation empowers high academic potential girls in Australian public high schools, who face economic barriers to excel academically, realise new opportunities and achieve their full potential. We do this via targeted educational resources and unwavering support during years 9-12 and beyond.

Kim and Irene’s vision has become a reality thanks to the dedication of our incredible staff and volunteers who have walked alongside our scholars every step of the way. Their commitment – to mentoring, guiding, and supporting — has helped shape the lives of so many girls and turned an idea into lasting impact. 👏

We’re so proud of our scholars, past and present, and grateful to every supporter who has helped us reach this milestone. Here’s to the next decade of impact! 💫

By[email protected]

National Reconciliation Week 2025

As we mark National Reconciliation Week 2025, we reflect on the importance of amplifying First Nations voices and honouring the deep cultural knowledge and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

One inspiring example is Emma Hoskins, a Year 9 Harding Miller Education Foundation Scholarship recipient. At our Sydney Awards Presentation, Emma delivered the Acknowledgement of Country—a moment that resonated deeply with all in attendance. Her words were not only a recognition of Country, but also a reflection of her connection to it and the significance of continuing cultural traditions in modern spaces.

Emma is a proud Wiradjuri and Gamilaraay girl, born, living, and continuing her learning journey on Dharug Ngurra. Her commitment to education and culture is a reminder of the strength and potential of young First Nations women across Australia.

Emma has received several honours, including Blacktown City Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Young Citizen of the Year (2021), Blacktown City Council’s Young Citizen of the Year (2023), and she currently serves on their Youth Advisory Committee. She was also the 2022 NSW Department of Education Nanga Mai Outstanding All Rounder Student.

In athletics, Emma is the 2025 NSW State Champion in the 1500m Racewalk and a 2024 national bronze medalist. She topped five school subjects in 2024 and received both The Hills Sports High School’s Michelle Rowland Community Spirit Award and the Quakers Hill Little Athletics Spirit of Little Athletics Award.

This National Reconciliation Week, we honour students like Emma, who embody the spirit of reconciliation through leadership, learning, and cultural pride. Their voices are vital as we walk together toward a more just, equitable, and united Australia.

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