At Harding Miller, we are continually inspired by the incredible achievements of our alumnae and the lasting impact that educational opportunity can create.
One of our past scholarship recipients, Erin, reached out to reflect on her journey since receiving a Harding Miller scholarship in 2015. Her story is a powerful reminder of how support, encouragement, and access to education can help young people pursue their goals and create meaningful change in their communities.
From overcoming challenges to achieving outstanding academic success and securing a highly competitive pathway into psychology, Erin’s journey demonstrates resilience, dedication, and a deep commitment to supporting others. We are proud to share her story below in her own words.
“My name is Erin, and I was a recipient of a Harding Miller financial hardship scholarship in 2015. I have been reflecting recently on the opportunities your support created for me, and I wanted to reach out to express my sincere gratitude and share how far I’ve come since then.
Thanks to the foundations built through your scholarship, I was able to focus wholeheartedly on my education and future goals. In Year 11, I received early entry into Macquarie University for a Bachelor of Psychology. I completed this degree and went on to study the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) at the University of Technology Sydney, which I have just finished with a Distinction.
I am incredibly proud to share that I have recently been offered a place in the Master of Professional Psychology (School Psychology) at Charles Sturt University, under the NSW Department of Education’s School Psychology Scholarship Program for 2026. This year, only around 20 positions were offered from over 1,000 applications, following a highly competitive and rigorous multi-stage process. Securing this opportunity is deeply meaningful to me, as it aligns perfectly with my future career aspirations.
In just over two years, I will be a fully registered psychologist working in schools, supporting students, families, and educators across NSW. While I have been extremely fortunate to receive several Master’s program offers (even in the face of the well-known bottleneck of psychology training progression), the Department of Education scholarship represents the pathway that resonates most strongly with my long-term goals. I look forward to using my training to support disadvantaged young people, with a particular passion for advocating for neurodivergent students.
Alongside my studies, I have worked professionally in the disability sector as a lead swimming instructor and mentor, and for the past two years as a Behaviour Support Practitioner in the NDIS. I have also been privileged to volunteer with Headspace Campbelltown and the Raise Foundation for the past three years, supporting disadvantaged youth in my local community.
I wanted to write to you because none of this would have been possible without the support and stability your scholarship provided in my early high school years. It helped build the foundations for my educational journey and has had a profound and lasting influence on where I am today.
Thank you, truly, for believing in students like me. I remain extremely grateful for the opportunities your organisation created, and for the role you played in shaping my future.”
Erin, congratulations on your extraordinary achievements and the inspiring path you have created for yourself. Your dedication, perseverance, and commitment to supporting young people are truly remarkable, and we are incredibly proud to have been part of your journey. Stories like yours remind us why access to education matters so deeply – because when young women are given the opportunity to thrive, they go on to make a lasting difference in the lives of others. We cannot wait to see the positive impact you will continue to make in schools and communities across NSW.
