Vital support to reach graduation

Ella was also worried about having suitable clothes for the professional setting – she wanted to make a good impression.

“I was quite stressed and anxious before my final placement – I was really feeling the pressure of passing my degree. The biggest challenge during this time was keeping on top of my mental health.”

With the help of a donor-funded Matthew Flinders Scholarship, Ella’s stress was eased and she felt ready to embrace the opportunity of her rural placement.

“The funding provided me with money for petrol to travel to and from my placement, and with the high cost of fuel this was a great help,” says Ella. “It also covered my food and internet costs, plus I was able to buy suitable work clothes.”

During her placement, Ella led a community consultation to provide local councils with recommendations on building, managing and promoting a sustainable First Nations community garden – based on the understanding that good food choices can be inspired by knowing how food is grown.

She says, “I enjoyed researching, compiling and presenting information for the project. I also really enjoyed delivering a Healthy Eating for the Heart interactive presentation to a local organisation.”

Ella is grateful for the scholarship support she received at a critical point in her degree and wants to thank donors to the Matthew Flinders Scholarship for getting her to graduation.

“Your funds helped me greatly during my placement and ensured I had enough money to support myself during this time. Thank you.”

Buoyed by her positive experience in the country, Ella says, “I hope to work rurally in my career as a community and public health dietitian, promoting good health and preventing disease.”

You can provide vital support and hope to students like Ella by giving to the Matthew Flinders Scholarship.

100% of your tax-deductible donation will support students in financial need at Flinders University.

^{Published August 2023. Author: Lynda Allen.}