By Max Davies
Three students from Broadford Secondary College, BSC, have excelled and been rewarded for their efforts through scholarships and awards.
Sam McGhie and Mackenzie Poole, in years 10 and nine respectively, have both been awarded the Gordon Hastie Bursary by the Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell, which includes $500 each to put towards their education.
Both students were required to fill out an application and answer multiple questions on topics such as their future aspirations, leadership skills, and personal values, as well as give a small speech to Rotary members after being awarded the bursary.
The bursary is named in honour of late Broadford resident Gordon Hastie, who served as youth chair for Rotary District 9790 and was highly regarded in the community.
Mr McGhie said it would have a positive impact on his education.
“It’ll make a massive difference, it’ll mean I can save up on other things and put my money towards things other than just school,” he said.
“I’m just going to use it for schooling expenses.”
Ms Poole said the bursary would give her greater options for tertiary education, as well as a higher chance of securing a spot at a top university.
“I got the email and burst into my mother’s room yelling at her about it, she didn’t know what it was for and then I explained it once I cooled down,” she said.
“I’m going to use it for university, it’s going to give me a higher chance at a ticket into the University of Melbourne.”
The students recommended other people consider applying for the bursary, as even if they are unsuccessful they can still improve on skills such as public speaking, social connections, and resilience.
Meanwhile, year 10’s Cooper Sirianni, who last year undertook a vocational education and training, VET, course in electrical at Kangan Institute, was awarded student of the year for 2022 and given a framed certificate, a tool bag, and $500 to go towards future tool purchases.
BSC assistant principal Reno Lia said the school was proud of Cooper’s award and his dedication to improving his work.
“Every Wednesday or Thursday, he would go off and do his course, and that kept him really engaged with his focus of getting an apprenticeship,” he said.
The award was one of 76 at the 2023 Industry Awards ceremony, at which Mr Sirianni had a chance to meet a wide range of different people, each with their own experiences.
“I was privileged to be part of the [awards night] experience, and over the holidays [Mr Sirianni] approached a number of businesses and was able to get an apprenticeship with an electrical business,” Mr Lia said.
“What it also does is it builds our profile as a school so that Kangan Institute will see we’ve got kids who want to excel in their fields that work really well and are consistent in their approach, and then take in more of our students – so that’s a great thing.”
