Australia Day 2013

Bond University Scholarship

The Australia Day Scholarship was established by Bond University in 1994, in conjunction with the Australia Day Committee (Victoria) to recognise Victorian young achievers.

The award provides an important opportunity for a talented and motivated year 12 student to study at Australia's first private not-for-profit university. The scholarship is valued up to $150,000 and covers tuition fees for any single or combined undergraduate program at the University.

To qualify, applicants must demonstrate a high level of leadership, involvement in their school or local community, a breadth of interests and a capacity for academic achievement.

All finalists selected by the Committee for interview are also required to present a three minute presentation entitled, 'My Vision for Australia'.

Past winners have come from a variety of backgrounds from across Victoria.

Applications for the scholarship open April 1 and close July 31.

For further information about the Australia Day Scholarship and Bond University, visit Bond University or email scholarships@bond.edu.au.

2013 Bond University Scholarship Winner

The 2013 Bond University Scholarship has been awarded to Katie Cameron.

Katie Cameron has just completed year 12 at St. Catherine’s School in Toorak, Victoria. Katie was School Captain, House Swimming Captain, House Social Service Captain, House Debating Captain, House Arts Director and House Year 7 and 8 Leader.  She was also heavily involved in sport, having competed in soccer, softball, swimming, surf league and AFL. She also participated in school plays and wrote and directed for her House Arts Performance. She was awarded colours for her active role in Sports and Dramatic Arts.

Katie has taken an active leadership role in her community. She has organised a breast cancer awareness morning tea that raised over $4,000, door knocked for Red Cross and Red Shield from 2010-2012, campaigned for ‘Born to Knit’ charity within her school and orchestrated a school-wide charity event to raise money for the ‘Because I Am a Girl’ foundation. Katie was awarded colours for her exceptional service to the community and her outstanding commitment and service to her school.

Already interested in Australian politics and our legal system, Katie wants to pursue a career in politics and law. In order to achieve this, Katie will be undertaking a Bachelor of International Relations/ Bachelor of Laws in 2013 at Bond University. She wants to use her degree to fulfil her ambitions and aspires to have a career that she not only enjoys, but is proud of.

Katies Vision for Australia is below.

Growing up in the beautiful countryside of Victoria, I have always felt incredibly connected to the land. A land that has instilled in me an understanding of the importance of community and of the value of citizenship as the driving force of our success. I believe that the depth of our privilege, the true magnitude of our fortune, is evident in our unwavering appreciation for the freedoms of our nation.
Yet, I believe that what truly makes us great, what distinguishes us, is our united vision for a brighter Australia. For Australian’s are not afraid of progress, we do not shy from hard work – but rather we build and we strive to be better – to unite as one to unlock our nation’s true potential.  

To see our country truly shine as the greatest nation, I believe we must build upon our already glowing foundations.  We must look to the values that define Australians and ask – can we see them better represented in our way of life? I envision this question to be the basis of reform to our current education system, as we strive to see it founded upon equal opportunity for all. I see this equality achieved through an increase in funding and support to our countries public and rural schools. In providing a growth in resources and facilities I trust that we will provide all of Australia’s youth with opportunities worthy of their promise.

I envision an Australia that encourages adaptability as we approach a shifting world, as we strive to increase Australia’s diplomatic and economic power. This can be achieved with an insistence upon the learning of foreign languages within our curriculum. I believe this will give Australians an advantage over those that speak only English, over those that are unable to communicate with nearly 3 quarters of the world’s population.  While others wait for the world to adapt to them, we must encourage an initiative within Australian’s that grants them the power to meet the challenges of our future.

My vision of Australia involves nurturing an understanding and appreciation of the diversity of our land and of the world as a whole. We are fortunate enough to be a nation that does foster multiculturalism, allowing for a rich atmosphere of diverse nationalities, religions and ethnicities. I believe that we must seek to enhance the celebration of these cultures, to raise awareness of their practises and beliefs. I trust that through enlightening Australian’s on the cultures that exist within not only our own country, but our international community, we will cultivate a global citizen - individuals equipped with the knowledge to flourish in a globalised world.  

Whether it be in the countryside or the city of Australia, I am forever reminded of how beautiful our nation truly is. Yet the beauty of our country lies not only in its idyllic landscape, but in the ambitions of its people. As Australian’s we have a unique belief in shared prosperity, in uniting as one to reach our potential.  I hope to strive alongside my generation to build the foundations of our dreams, to work, as those before us have, to uncover the promise of our great nation.