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2011 scholarship recipient biographies Victoria
Gym Membership scholarships
Cynthia Rowe Gym
Cynthia's MS has stripped her of her ability to walk independently. Her ultimate dream is to take her dog "Shadow" for a walk. Cynthia is living in a high care nursing home which doesn't have any exercise equipment. With her scholarship she will start attending the Coburg Leisure Centre to attend specific MS exercise classes. Cynthia says "I believe becoming physically fit will have an enormous benefit to my quality of life"
Helen Gym
The most precious thing to Helen is her independence and unfortunately due to her MS is slowly losing this. Helen's dream is to have a gym membership which will allow her to build her physical strength. Helen says,
"I know that through the gym I can work on building my strength to increase my chances of remaining independent and maybe be able to return to work, to drive my car and be able to get out of the house
more often."
Education scholarships
Ailsa Christie Education Scholarship
Ailsa's dream is to continue to work. With a degree in ecology and plant biology and the never-ending symptoms of MS, she is unable to continue working in the field of her chosen career. With her scholarship she will retrain as an editor/proof reader in the field of biology. Ailsa says, "I hope to be self-employed so that I can pace myself with my energy levels and continue to find satisfaction in achieving worthwhile employment."
Steven Education Scholarship
Steven's dream is to get stronger physically, emotionally and psychologically. To enable him to do this
he wants to attend the George Jelinek "Taking control of MS" program and also attend a gym program
in Richmond.
Steven says "By attending these programs they will strengthen my health and my whole outlook on living
with my MS."
Chrissy Gambino Education Scholarship
For as long as Chrissy can remember she has been obsessed with creating and making cakes, desserts and sweet treats of all descriptions. Chrissy's dream is to pursue her passion and do a "Pastry Chef at home" course at the William Angliss Tafe College in Melbourne. She wants to refine her skills, learn new ones and then start a small baked goods business. Chrissy says "I have a dream that I am passionate about, I have the drive and the talent, this scholarship will make my dream and passion a reality."
Meghan Mclean Education Scholarship
Meghan's dream is to one day be a remedial massage therapist and to be able to help people in a professional capacity. Meghan has started a course at the Australian College of Massage but after numerous relapses has found it very hard to find the money to pay for continuing her education. She will put her scholarship towards continuing in this course. Meghan says "I am someone who seeks to make the world a better place by using my massage skills to help other people with MS who are less fortunate than myself."
Music scholarships
Mary Music Scholarship
Being diagnosed with MS has made Mary doubly determined to follow her dream. Her dream is to launch her career as a singer/songwriter and recording artist. She has been writing lyrics since the age of 12 Mary intends to use her scholarship to record a high quality demo package including 3 original songs. Mary says, "After one of the hardest years of my life as someone recently diagnosed with MS, I feel the need to reach out and give others hope and show what can be achieved, even coming from the hardest of circumstances. My music is my way of doing this."
Clara Schutz Music Scholarship
Clara is an extremely talented musician who has studied in London at the Royal Academy of Music and she has performed in numerous orchestras throughout Great Britain. After her diagnosis in 2006, MS started to affect her bowing arm and at times has made it impossible for her to play. Clara's dream is to continue playing and teaching cello and maybe one day play with the London Symphony Orchestra. With her scholarship she will purchase a lightweight cello case and assist with fees for master Classes with a world class teacher. Clara's friend Amy says "This scholarship will make a world of difference to Clara, her self-confidence and her ability to adapt to life as a professional cellist with MS."
George Emmoglou Music Scholarship
George's passion has always been music and his dream is to have his own home studio to practice, write
and record music. With his scholarship George will purchase the much needed computer equipment which will allow him to edit and record.
George says, "As a child I was always told to stop dreaming', now as a father of 3 the one thing I will be encouraging them to do is DREAM! I believe that music is a great cure for everything in life and if I can get
my music out there it would help people with MS forget about their symptoms and be positive about life."
Sport scholarships
Renee Gunstone Sport Scholarship
After an exchange experience to Canada when Renee was 16, she fell in love with the sport of Ice Hockey. After MS attacked her body and she fought back to become fit again she had the opportunity to participate in Ice Hockey. Although she has problems with her balance she has persevered and hopes to one day play a full game with her team. Renee says "I believe after everything I went through, that no goal is unattainable, you just need that little extra time and support to get there."
Zia Sport Scholarship
Zia's dream is to train vaulting horses up to A grade level to assist Victorian vaulters to compete at the World Equestrian Games. For 6 years she has been training horses but unfortunately last December her stables were broken into and valuable equipment stolen. Zia will use her scholarship to replace the stolen equipment, so she can continue training. Zia says "by helping me to live my dream, it also helps many other people live their dreams as well, the flow on effect is amazing."
Travel scholarships
Byron Smith Travel Scholarship
Although quite the traveller years ago MS has restricted Byron's ability to travel. Byron's dream is to take
his wife on a trip on the Ghan. By travelling this way he will be able to enjoy and experience the Australian outback. Byron's wife has been his carer and sole bread winner in the family for the last 13 years. Byron says "This dream will give me a sense of achievement and satisfaction by taking my wife on the trip of
a lifetime."
Patricia Campbell Travel Scholarship
Patricia's dream is to reunite her family for Christmas. Having been separated from her siblings by distance, her children and grandchildren have never been to an entire family gathering. This year however they are all determined to spend it together in Queensland.
Patricia says, "It will be so fulfilling to share this Christmas time with those I love so much. To witness a bonding of family relationships I never thought was going to be possible, is just so amazing
Bronwyn Bansemer Travel Scholarship
Bronwyn's application was submitted by her daughter Heidi. Heidi is getting married in September in South Australia and Bronwyn's dream is to be there to see her.
Such a simple dream yet one almost impossible to attain. You see Bronwyn is a high care patient living in a nursing home in rural Victoria and the only way to get her to the wedding is by private ambulance as her MS has progressed so badly that she needs to travel lying down, as well as have a carer with her. Heidi says "Other than the need to witness our marriage, this will show her that she can achieve goals and that she can enjoy life despite the hurdles and disadvantages life has thrown at her. I want her to become Bronwyn', a lady who just happens to have MS and show her that she is not ruled by her MS no matter how bad it can get. Other than that I need and would LOVE my mum to be part of our special day."
The Arts scholarships
Anne O'Hoy The Arts Scholarship
Living with MS has given Anne the opportunity to pursue what she has always been passionate about Screenwriting and film making. After 2.5 years of part time study she has completed her first short film script. Her dream is to now produce her short film and enter it into film festivals to kick start her career. Anne says
"It took me several years to come to terms with having this illness and what its limitations really meant for me. However, in a way, it's been a blessing. It has spurred my zest for life and live the life I want to live. Through my stories and experiences, I hope I can inspire others and help them realise that regardless of limitations, dreams are possible to fulfil."
Ingrid Brooker The Arts Scholarship
Animation has been a serious hobby of Ingrid's for the past 13 years. She has had some major success internationally when a film of hers was accepted into the Ottawa International Animation Festival in Canada. Ingrid's dream is to become a professional animator. This scholarship is a long term investment in her dream by providing a studio which meets her specific needs. Ingrid says "Animation sustains me through the upsand downs of life, it's my dedication, my inspiration and my lifeline. The scholarship will restore my confidence and help build a professional reputation through collaboration with an internationally recognised artist."
Catherine Slattery The Arts Scholarship
MS has limited Catherine's ability to carry out most tasks in her garden. Her dream is to create a garden that she can access and maintain herself. She wants to have a place where she can grow vegetables and herbs for her table and also to give to family and friends. Catherine says, "Having this garden will provide the motivation for greeting each day with the excitement of having a rewarding job that can be accomplished and a goal that can be achieved."
Kath Matthys The Arts Scholarship
MS has taken away all of Kath's independence. But the one thing she does have is her love of painting. Kath's dream is to paint without help from other people, so with her scholarship she will be able to purchase a portable art station. Kath says "I am unable to do almost anything. With nothing to do I am left only to my thoughts and boredom. With this art station it will give me independence to follow my passion."
Chelsea Jacobson The Arts Scholarship
Chelsea has always had a passion for performing and her dream has always been to be on the stage. After auditioning she was accepted into a specialist course to follow her dream. Unfortunately MS reared its ugly head and due to symptoms was unable to continue working to pay for the course. With her scholarship she can now afford to start the course. Chelsea says "I want to create awareness for other people with MS to believe that we too are allowed to dream and live every day with a dream in our heart and a smile on our face."
Kate Schumann The Arts Scholarship
Kate dreams of sitting in her new garden amongst the easily reached raised garden beds that she has planted with veggies, flowers and herbs. With her scholarship she will be able to have her dream created. Kate says
"If I can grow healthy nutritious food and cook it for my family and friends then I can feel part of making life better for those I love. If I can create a beautiful restful space then I can help ease some of the stress my condition causes."
Paula Rogers The Arts Scholarship
Paula's dream is creative, yet simple, a garden, a place of her own to relax, unwind and get some non strenuous exercise. She wants to fill the garden with beautiful, vibrant flora which will invite some native wildlife. Paula says, "Living with this disease I have been unable to continue doing the things I most enjoy, having this garden will allow me to escape into a fairyland that would benefit myself and my mental health."
Employment scholarships
Prue Read Employment Scholarship
Prue's dream is to work from home and begin an online market research business which helps employ people living with MS. Since her diagnosis she has really appreciated the ability to work and the meaning it gives to her life. She wants to help others by giving them the esteem that goes with earning a living and contributing. Prue says "I want to help many people with MS around Australia and help promote awareness."