Past Recipients

JEMMA TOOHEY

Jemma’s family moved from Sydney when she was very young, to a new life on a mixed wheat/sheep property at Balladoran, more than 60 km from Dubbo. A reverse sea change you could say.

Jemma started school at a very small, one teacher school near her home – Drinane Public School. In 2007, the school closed because of dwindling enrolments, so she moved to Dubbo West Public School, along with her two sisters. There is no school bus but luckily, their mother works in Dubbo so they could travel with her.  

Jemma moved on to Dubbo College Delroy Campus and finally to the Senior Campus, where she completed her HSC in 2016.

Jemma was unsure about continuing her studies beyond the HSC. Her elder sister had left home a year earlier and was at University in Sydney, but Jemma is close to her family, has a wide circle of friends and, more importantly, a boyfriend, all in Dubbo. Her father had suggested nursing some time back and she hadn’t given it too much thought until late in Year 12, but it became an ambition. 

“I chose nursing because I love science and seeing my efforts positively impact people”, she commented recently.

However, being able to afford to go to University was a challenge, even though she could study nursing at the Dubbo Campus of Charles Stuart University. Living at home while studying would not be easy as she shared a room with her younger sister – difficult enough at High School, but more so at University. The daily commute with her mother might have suited school hours but was much less convenient for University. Then there was money for text books, a new computer and a nursing uniform. Jemma had never had an after school or weekend job as she lived too far out of town so she had no savings of her own. She knew that even if she could get a job while she was at University, she would need to take time off for her nursing placements, severely limiting her options to earn money while she studied.  

Like many students in her situation, Jemma had to be creative and combine funding support from a number of different sources. Fortunately, the University offered her a scholarship that went towards on-campus accommodation, reducing her rent to $50 per week. She also gained a Centrelink Newstart scholarship of over $3,000, and Youth Allowance. The Bindyi Club/ Esse Quam Videri Foundation Scholarship, awarded on the recommendation of the College Principal, was also a great support in getting Jemma to University. With these three funding sources in place, Jemma hasn’t looked back.

“I used the money from the Foundation for text books, my nursing uniform and costs associated with moving out of home. Having this money meant that I was able to focus more on my studies”.

Jemma has now moved into accommodation in Dubbo and does shift work at a local fast food place and also receives Youth Allowance. She has also decided to take an extra year to complete her nursing studies to reduce the pressure.

Jemma recently emailed: “I am hoping to be the best Nurse I can be and work my way up the ranks to earn more money and support other nurses.  I’m passionate about good health and education and will stay in something that fulfils me in that area.”