University Advancement Office Alumni and Friends

The Mildura Alumni Scholarships

The Mildura alumni occupy a special place in the University of Melbourne’s history. From 1947 to 1949 over 1000 students had the unique experience of studying in Mildura as part of the University’s extended campus. That the time was special for so many Mildura alumni is reflected in the numbers attending the annual Mildura reunion. Each year alumni and staff return to the University of Melbourne to reflect on that exceptional time.

In 2005 a number of alumni decided that the time was right to establish a more enduring memorial to Mildura and to give back to the community that provided such an enriching experience.

A committee was formed to develop a proposal for a student award – The Mildura Alumni Scholarships.

Mildura Alumni Reunion
Mildura Alumni celebrated their memories at a lunch in April.

Michael Lang

Michael Lang - BEng/BComm, Mildura Senior College, Melbourne Access Scholarship recipient
I had Engineering/ Commerce at Melbourne as my first preference and then got a Melbourne Access Scholarship because I was from an under-represented school, a rural area and because of my family’s financial position. The scholarship is a big weight off my shoulders, it makes it a lot easier to live at college than it otherwise would have been. City life is good for a change, but after a few years working I see myself moving back to a smaller community. There’s a lot of work on the Murray River that I’d be interested in.

The Mildura Alumni Scholarships

Known as The Mildura Alumni Scholarships, the scholarships will support students from the Mildura region to attend the University by providing up to $5000 per annum. At the 60th Mildura reunion, planned for 2007, the scholarships will be launched and donors honoured.

Melbourne Access Program provides scholarships to academically able students from disadvantaged backgrounds. A number of students from the Mildura region have been assisted through this program to study at the University of Melbourne but resource limitations mean that many Mildura students miss out.

Heather Pascoe

Heather Pascoe - MBBS/BMedSc, Mildura Senior College, Melbourne Access Scholarship recipient
I knew that I wanted to work in the biology area and with people. The scholarship frees up money for books, which are really expensive and the fact that I won’t have a huge HECS debt is also good. I go home to Mildura about four times a year to see my family so the scholarship also helps with travel costs. I like the way the Medicine course is set out. In third and fourth years the course has a research component, which means completing one year in a research placement – I’m hoping to go back to Mildura to do this. After I finish Medicine I want to move back to a rural area, perhaps as a GP, but I’m also interested in cardiology.

The need for scholarships

There are many students in the Mildura region who for various reasons are unable to benefit, as Mildura alumni did, from attending the University of Melbourne. These days costs for students are high and include not only tuition fees but also the considerable expense of moving from the country and living expenses in Melbourne. For example, students now have to contribute anything from $3920–$8170 a year for tuition. Living costs are estimated at between $12,000–$18,000.

Many Mildura families simply cannot afford to send their children to study at the University of Melbourne. At the same time the Mildura region is short on doctors, dentists and other professionals.

The University is committed to assisting students with the greatest potential rather than the greatest advantage.

Support the Mildura Alumni Scholarships

To support the Mildura Alumni Scholarships, download and complete the donation form or for more information, contact:

Advancement Office
Level 3, 45 Barry Street
University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Australia
Tel: +61 3 8344 1751
Fax: +61 3 9348 0013
Email: alumni-office@unimelb.edu.au

 

top of page