Paying it Forward for students
A simple but impactful act of kindness from a Deakin graduate and scholarship recipient is set to change the lives of Deakin students.
When Arts/Commerce student Brad Underhill was awarded the Bowater Trust Medal in 2017, his first reaction was a slight feeling of embarrassment.
Awarded annually to a high achieving and community-minded student in Deakin Business School, the Medal includes a $5,000 prize generously funded by the Bowater Trust.
“To be honest, I felt a bit uncomfortable about taking money away from someone else,” Brad recalled.
“Not that I’m loaded or anything, but as a mature age student, I imagine I’m in a more fortunate position than those just starting out so I couldn’t help but think there must be a way I can help someone who’s really struggling.”
As someone who has dedicated much time and energy to supporting disadvantaged kids as a volunteer mentor and Board member, Brad set about finding a way to ‘pay it forward’ and make it right.
“I’ve also got a daughter that works in case management for protective services, so she’s dealing with kids who come from difficult circumstances and I thought ‘well, maybe I can set up something, do something with that award’,” Brad explained.
“One thing lead to another and I met with a couple of different groups within Deakin and that’s how we came up with this idea that if I were to put the money back in, then the Business School itself would match it and then the Bowater Trust would match it again.
“So rather than giving $5,000, we’d be able to give $15,000 a year.
“That’s an extra $100 a week and that makes a huge difference for an undergraduate student who’s finding it hard to make ends meet.”
Did you know:
One in five university students earn less than $10,000 per year
One in five full-time low-SES students report they regularly go without food or other necessities because they can’t afford them
A quarter of employed students work more than 20 hours a week to make ends meet
One in three students fail to complete the course they began within six years of enrolling
The Underhill Bowater Paying It Forward scholarship now provides financial support, confidence and encouragement to one commencing student for three years of study.
The inaugural recipient, Carina Mammone, is working toward a double degree in Public Health/Health Promotion and Commerce and hoping to work for an organisation that deals with health policy.
“Carina’s drive and passion really stood out,” Brad said.
“She comes from Mildura and she’s studying Health so she can give back to the community. She lives on campus and she’s quite passionate about life at Deakin.
“Carina is obviously really switched-on and a dedicated student and with her studying health, it’s nice to know we’re able to help someone who’s going to help people in the community later. It’s paying it forward again, in a way.
“I imagine that’s how she’ll think and it’s nice to think that she’ll hopefully go on and do the same thing for someone else down the track.”
It means a great deal to Carina to be the first recipient of the Underhill Bowater Paying it Forward Scholarship.
“I truly can’t thank Brad and the other contributors enough for offering so much,” Carina said.
“I’ve always been a hard-worker, at some points working multiple jobs whilst studying. I understand the importance of financial stability, and try to reduce the load I place on my parents for financial support. This scholarship allows me to do that, and so much more!
“Between paying for rent and all the other essentials, I rarely had money left from each week to spend on extra development opportunities but the scholarship has changed all that.
“My university experience is going to be so much more meaningful, and I really couldn’t be more grateful for Brad’s contribution. His sacrifice isn’t something I am going to take lightly.
“With this scholarship, I have nothing holding me back from reaching my goals. I am honestly super excited for what’s to come!”
