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2010 scholarship recipient biographies – New South Wales

The Arts scholarships

Jenepher Quinn is an accomplished artist, having successfully held six exhibitions in the UK, which have displayed her water colours over the years – many of which have been inspired by Australian landscapes. Jenepher’s dream is to hold an art exhibition of her works for the Australian public and to become an accepted and recognised artist in Australia. She would also like to have access to facilities to paint and to experiment with the use of acrylic paints as a new medium for her works. Jenepher’s scholarship will help her achieve this dream.

Tessa Dowdell believes very strongly in advocacy and justice through grass-roots journalism and visual arts. In the past two years, she has co-produced a radio program, The Third Degree, on a volunteer, self-taught basis. The Third Degree covers stories on social justice and the environment from Australia and around the world. It is Tessa’s goal to eventually travel to and photograph some of these places, which will give the stories the full attention they deserve. Tessa’s scholarship will enable her to undertake necessary training courses and to purchase photography equipment to fulfil her dream.

Education scholarships

Deanna Bell has always held an interest in digital photography, but due to studies and other commitments, she’s never had the time or resources to explore it further. Since her diagnosis of MS in 2009, Deanna has found enjoyment in sharing time with family, friends and taking in the beautiful surroundings of where she lives. Deanna expresses that “although she has MS, MS does not have her” and that she’d like to pursue her love for photography further. Her scholarship will assist with the purchase of a digital camera as well as a tripod to assist her with balance.

Kylee Stenos has many dreams, including a goal to build a high-bed vegetable garden in her backyard. Kylee’s scholarship will enable her to create her garden by undertaking a horticulture course at TAFE. In addition, Kylee’s scholarship will assist with the purchase of gardening books and the gardening tools and equipment she needs. The scholarship will also enable Kylee to share her passion for gardening with others and to show her young daughter the joys of a growing garden.

Laura Muscatello was diagnosed with MS in 2008. Now aged 19, Laura is in her second year of university and on her way to fulfilling her dream of becoming a teacher. With fatigue and weakness in her hand making it more difficult for her to study, Laura’s scholarship will help towards the purchase of a laptop to assist with note-taking and assignments, a small air conditioner to manage the effects of heat, and additional text books to achieve her dream of becoming a teacher.

Lyndal Coghlan, who has always been drawn to professions that help others, commenced a psychology degree in 2008. Being diagnosed with MS a year later has only strengthened her resolve to pursue her goal, to support those who are coming to terms with their diagnosis of MS, and to encourage them to pursue their own goals and aspirations. Lyndal’s scholarship will help towards the extensive costs of completing her university degree and to purchase vision and other learning aids that will assist her to realise her dream of becoming a psychologist.

Marion Bindley has always thought about writing and publishing her life story. While this will be personally rewarding for Marion, it will also give her family, friends and others close to her a deeper understanding of her life prior to her diagnosis of MS in 1989 – her passion as an active primary school teacher, her enthusiasm for guiding young children through their early years, and her reluctant retirement from frontline teaching. Marion’s scholarship will help with the purchase of a laptop and necessary equipment to enable her to complete her life story.

Michelle Brown has always loved writing and educating children. As such, Michelle’s wish is to use her skills and abilities to write children’s stories and produce a book or website of resources for parents with young children. Michelle’s scholarship will assist with the purchase of computer software that will help her create the illustrations for her books. Her scholarship will enable her to participate in a course in graphic design or web development which will also take Michelle in the right direction to produce her books and resources.

Nelun Jayasuriya migrated to Australia in 1990, having previously worked as a qualified medical practitioner in the prevention of disease in Sri Lanka. Nelun was diagnosed with MS in 1992. She wishes to use her medical expertise and personal experience of living with MS to provide a counselling service to people with MS who have migrated from cultural backgrounds similar to her own. Nelun’s scholarship will enable her to complete formal training in counselling.

Rachel Martin was diagnosed with MS in 2008 and she has found balancing the demands of casual work, three children, study and living with MS challenging. Rachel is now two-thirds of the ways to completing her Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in psychology. Rachel will use her scholarship to assist with the travel and text books required to complete her degree, which will alleviate the need for her to work casually.

Employment scholarships

Vanessa Waller describes herself as “more of a planner than a dreamer”. Vanessa’s practical and creative idea is to build a website, Wheelie Planet, which will assist people who use a wheelchair in developing a travel plan. Vanessa’s love for travel is evident, having shared many travelling experiences with her husband and son over the years. Her personal experience, coupled with excellent writing skills, provide her with the perfect tools to begin creating content for the website. Vanessa’s scholarship will help get the development of Wheelie Planet off the ground.

Sport scholarships

Michele Mulholland’s dream is to be able to afford an exercise program that can help her to regain her physical and mental health, so she can look after and support her three children in the years ahead. Unable to exercise at a local gym, Michele was looking for a way to exercise in her own home. Michele’s daughter nominated her for the scholarship. Now, Michele will be able to purchase some exercise equipment to use at home, which will have far-reaching benefits for both Michele and her children.

Travel scholarships

Allan Sykes has been inspired by his son, who is aiming to achieve his ‘black belt’ in Taekwondo this year. Allan would like to take up a self-defence course to keep fit and mobile, in spite of the some of the challenges he has experienced from living with MS. His ultimate goal is to travel to the Philippines and undertake a martial arts course, with his son by his side. Allan’s scholarship will help towards fulfilling this dream.

Farah Karimipour was diagnosed with MS in 1990 and has not been able to travel to see her family and friends in Iran for over 20 years. Farah’s daughter nominated her mum for this scholarship, which will enable Farah to travel to Iran with the support of a carer. The trip will provide Farah with a long overdue opportunity to reunite with her family and friends.

Jacqui Terry is described by her scholarship referees as “a young, inspiring woman who is deserving of the opportunity to treat herself to a holiday”. Not long after the Christmas of 2008, Jacqui was diagnosed with MS. Despite some of the challenges she has faced, she has remained dedicated to helping and mentoring others in similar circumstances. It is Jacqui’s dream to travel to areas of Australia she has never been – somewhere peaceful, where she can relax and be pampered. Jacqui’s scholarship will give her the opportunity to do just that.

Margaret Burns was diagnosed with MS in 2009. Living in a beautiful beach town and being a surfer for 30 years, Margaret has always wanted to travel to Hawaii. Margaret’s scholarship will help towards the purchase of a light-weight and comfortable wheelchair that she can use during her much-desired trip to Hawaii this year. A lighter wheelchair will also help reduce her fatigue, maintaining her driving independence and allowing her to remain active in her local community.

Patrick Anderson is described by his scholarships nominee as “a very intelligent man with a beautiful personality”. Having always enjoyed the outdoors, Patrick would love to be able to enjoy regular outings outside of his supported residential accommodation. Some of the places he would like to visit include Taronga Zoo, the Blue Mountains, Sydney Cricket Ground and a sporting event at Sydney Olympic Park. Patrick’s scholarship will help him fulfil his dreams of experiencing these sights of Sydney.

Pauline Cooper has always wanted to experience the beauty of other countries and meet people from diverse backgrounds. She and her husband had planned to travel around Australia and overseas once their children had completed their education. When Pauline was diagnosed with MS in 2003, she and her husband had to modify their travel dreams. No longer able to travel overseas or by caravan around Australia, Pauline would love to take a trip on the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth, returning home by plane. Pauline’s scholarship will help her realise her Western Australia travel dream.

Val Wilkes has shown great courage in managing her MS over the last 21 years. After being diagnosed with MS, Val cared for her beloved husband who was diagnosed with cancer and sadly passed away in 2002. Val’s scholarship application reveals a very positive and tenacious woman who is well-deserving of her dream to travel to England to visit with her 90-year old mother. Val’s scholarship will help towards the costs of her long-awaited trip, accompanied by her son.