Event recognises generous scholarship donors

Event recognises generous scholarship donors

RMIT has connected its community of scholarship donors with past and present student recipients to celebrate the life-changing impact of their generosity.

Attended by Chancellor Peggy O’Neal AO and Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Alec Cameron, the Scholarship Dinner was the first time in four years an event of this scale was possible.

Scholarships support students through financial, educational and other challenges, and provide access to transformative experiences such as overseas study tours.

Cameron acknowledged RMIT’s purpose to expand access to life-changing education and to meet the community’s need for skilled and knowledgeable graduates.

“Last year, we awarded almost 3,500 scholarships, but we received over 12,000 applications from students, many of whom were experiencing financial hardship,” he said.

“We have clear data demonstrating that our scholarship holders remain enrolled at a higher rate, and perform better academically, than their cohort.

“This speaks to their talent, but also to their gratitude and to their commitment,” he said.

Amy Harrington, Associate Director Philanthropy, said it was fantastic to see RMIT’s scholarship community come together.

“Our community of donors is diverse, including individuals, families and organisations. What they share is a belief in the value of an RMIT education and a strong desire to help future generations succeed,” she said.

“The event was really special, giving scholars the opportunity to meet their donors in person, thank them for their generosity and share the impact that it has had on their university experience and career pathways.” 

Rachael Hocking speaks to a seated audience at Storey Hall Rachael Hocking delivers the keynote speech.

The dinner featured a keynote speech from proud Warlpiri woman Rachael Hocking, an award-winning journalist and RMIT alumnus, who received a scholarship to study at RMIT a decade ago.

Hocking expressed her gratitude to RMIT’s philanthropic community, shared her experiences and reminisced about her time spent at the Ngarara Willim Centre (a dedicated support service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students) at RMIT’s Melbourne city campus.

Find out how you can support a life-changing RMIT scholarship. 

Story: Thomas Odell

01 August 2023

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01 August 2023

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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