Matthew Flinders Scholarship
For Shane Walter, a Creative Writing PhD student at Flinders University, the dream of writing a book has been a lifelong goal.
“In primary school, I’d submit handwritten novels whenever my teacher gave us free-choice assignments,” recalls Shane. “I love the idea of creating stories that both entertain and inspire.”
An avid reader of fantasy and science fiction, Shane is now writing a fantasy genre novel called Aftermath for his PhD. The story follows a hero grappling with her identity and the consequences of her actions after a significant adventure.
“It’s about figuring out what to do with your life when the dust settles,” he explains.
Shane has been working on the book for three years now, and has faced constant financial pressure as he survives on an income below the poverty line.
“Finances have definitely been the most challenging part of studying,” says Shane. “With so many rising costs, making ends meet as a student is quite dire.”
“The funding really helped me out of a tight situation and has taken financial stress off my mind. I can now focus on my studies,” says Shane.
Earlier this year, while juggling the increasing costs of rent and groceries, he urgently needed dental work and a new prescription for his glasses.
Shane wasn’t sure how he would cover any of these necessities, and struggled to focus on his studies.
But thanks to community donations, Shane received the essential help he needed through a Matthew Flinders Scholarship for students in financial need.
“Thanks to the scholarship, I was able to buy a month’s worth of groceries, get new glasses, and visit the dentist.”
Receiving this support and being able to continue his studies was a great relief to Shane.
“My sincere thanks to the donors of the Matthew Flinders Scholarship. The funding really helped me out of a tight situation and has taken financial stress off my mind. I can now focus on my studies.”
With just six months left of his PhD, Shane is now concentrating on completing his book, and is looking forward to sending it out to publishers, and seeing it on bookshelves.
You can provide vital support for students like Shane to continue their studies and reach their potential by giving to the Matthew Flinders Scholarship.
100% of your tax-deductible donation will support students in financial need through the Matthew Flinders Scholarship.
Published October 2024. Author: Lynda Allen.
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
Global | Online
CRICOS Provider: 00114A TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097 TEQSA category: Australian University
Flinders University uses cookies to ensure website functionality, personalisation and a variety of purposes as set out in its website privacy statement. This statement explains cookies and their use by Flinders.
If you consent to the use of our cookies then please click the button below:
If you do not consent to the use of all our cookies then please click the button below. Clicking this button will result in all cookies being rejected except for those that are required for essential functionality on our website.