Help to cover urgent costs

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, he urgently needed a new prescription for his glasses and dental work, while juggling the increasing costs of rent and groceries.

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 the 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 looking forward to sending it out to publishers in the hopes of it reaching bookshop shelves.

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.

Donate today

^{Published October 2024. Author: Lynda Allen.}

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