The latest recipient of our annual study scholarship says the financial support it has provided made a big difference and enabled her to better focus on her university studies.
CQU student Tegan Churchill is this year’s beneficiary of the CQU Cares Sister Anne-Marie Kinnane CatholicCare Legacy Scholarship.
Tegan is in her third year of a four-year Bachelor of Social Work degree and is a single mum.
She said the scholarship has made a marked difference, allowing her to take care of everyday costs – such as food and transport – that would otherwise have been a burden.
It was a chance conversation with a friend who was studying the same degree as Tegan that made her aware of the scholarship’s existence.
While the friend wasn’t eligible for the scholarship, she let Tegan know she was and encouraged her to apply.
“The big thing has been financial security, just having that extra buffer,” Tegan said.
“I can buy groceries that I need, instead of having to work out whether I can afford milk this week. I could pay bills when they arrive, instead of having to break some up.
“Even things like study resources, stuff that I needed for placement like new clothes and comfortable shoes, and ready-made meals for my lunches.”
Part of her university degree included months of work placement. As she doesn’t have a car, the support meant, for instance, her son could take a taxi or rideshare to a health appointment while she was at work placement.
“I didn’t have to go, ‘okay, I’ve only got X amount of money in the account, how am I going to work this out?’ I had enough of that buffer,” Tegan said.
With just one more year to go until she graduates, Tegan’s future plans are to secure work in Rockhampton as a social worker.
“When I first started my degree, I was 100 percent thinking I was going to work in public schools,” she said.
“But the hospital placement showed me different ways that social work can help families.
“My overall goal is still working with families and working alongside them to help them live the life that they deserve that’s safe and promotes their wellbeing.”
Tegan’s interest in social work began when she was volunteering at a school in a low socio-economic area and was considering doing a Certificate III in Education Support.
“You could see the kids who just had stuff that was happening outside of school that was preventing them from participating in school. I wanted to be part of helping them, and I didn’t feel that I could do that as a teacher,” Tegan said.
She started CQU’s university-prep course STEPS (Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies) about four years ago, where her lecturer encouraged her to study for a bachelor’s degree.
“Social work has really helped me understand all of those outside barriers that people take for granted that other people are dealing with,” she said.
Tegan encourages anyone who’s also studying – or considering studying – Social Work at CQU to apply for the CatholicCare Legacy Scholarship, if they are eligible to do so.
“It just opened so many doors and that’s a great opportunity,” she said.
CatholicCare Central Queensland CEO Robert Sims said the scholarship was established to honour the memory of the organisation’s co-founder, Sister Anne-Marie Kinnane, who passed away in 2022.
“Sister Anne-Marie was the first university-qualified social worker in Rockhampton, and this scholarship carries on her legacy by supporting the next generation of social workers,” Robert said.
“Our organisation was founded on the principle of supporting and helping others, and by giving back to the community, we continue to honour Sister Anne-Marie’s incredible work and her decades-long commitment to improving the welfare of the Rockhampton community.
“I look forward to seeing Tegan’s continued involvement in the social work sector in our city and wish her all the best in her studies and future career.”
The CQU Cares Sister Anne-Marie Kinnane CatholicCare Legacy Scholarship is for CQU students enrolled in Bundaberg, Mackay, or Rockhampton who are in their third year of a Bachelor of Social Work degree.
If you would like to know more about the scholarship, please visit: https://www.cqu.edu.au/study/prepare/scholarships/find-a-scholarship/1043799/cqunicares-sister-annemarie-kinnane-catholiccare-legacy-scholarship-donorfunded.
