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Making a difference in the world, one person at a time

18 November 2020
Children and Schooling
At left is building wall with a large sign featuring the words: Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre. At right is a woman with black hair and wearing a dark dress with large white, yellow and pink flowers.

Nara-Lee Scott is excited about her future in community services thanks to the support she received as part of the Commonwealth Scholarship for Young Australians program.

After a run in with the law, 19-year-old Nara-Lee Scott knew she had to turn her life around.

She wanted to make a difference in the world, ‘one person at a time’, so she started a Certificate IV in Community Services in February 2020.

Seeking support for her schooling and help to guide her ‘in the right direction’, Nara-Lee applied for the Commonwealth Scholarship for Young Australians program.

This program financially supported Nara-Lee through her studies as well as providing a local internship opportunity in her field of study.

Nara-Lee said her course has taught her a lot and that she ‘enjoyed learning about different types of community inclusions’.

She is now completing her internship at Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre (MEAC) in Shepparton. From day one, she has been involved in the activities of the centre and has loved getting experience in the industry.

For Nara-Lee, one of the most valuable parts of the scholarship experience has been working with her mentor.

‘Everyone is so great and you will be allocated a worker who will be just as lovely as the one I got’ Nara-Lee said.

‘They gave me an opportunity to turn my life around and make my future better for myself and my family.’

Nara-Lee dreams of becoming an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education worker or welfare support worker and is looking forward to completing a Diploma of Community Services.

With her future study plans on hold temporarily as she awaits the arrival of her first baby, Nara-Lee is certain she is now on the right track and is excited for her future in community services and becoming a successful young mum.

Find out more

The Commonwealth Scholarships Program for Young Australians awards young people up to $5,000 a year, to study a vocational education and training (VET) qualification and $3,000 to complete an internship.

Applications for the third round of scholarships are open until Friday 4 December. Eligibility criteria may apply.
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