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Taylor Dockerty – 2024 QCoal Foundation Scholarship Recipient

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QCoal Foundation Supports Regional Students with $45k Scholarship Fund

Four promising first-year students from James Cook University (JCU), hailing from regional Queensland, are celebrating a significant boost to their academic journey, thanks to the QCoal Foundation’s generous support. This year, the Foundation not only awarded its annual $30,000 scholarship but also granted three additional $5,000 bursaries to deserving students.

“Taylor Dockerty stands out as the recipient of the prestigious $30,000 scholarship,” said Foundation CEO Sylvia Bhatia. Dockerty, an aspiring Speech Pathologist from Emerald, expressed her gratitude for the scholarship, emphasising how it will alleviate the pressures associated with her studies and enable her to focus more on academic excellence.

Joining Dockerty are three other outstanding students who received the $5,000 bursaries:

  • Billie Cummings, a Veterinary Science student from Atherton.
  • Emily Wright, studying Education, hailing from Sarina.
  • Jade Shearer, pursuing Geology and originating from Cairns.

Each of these students has demonstrated exceptional promise and dedication to their chosen fields. Their bursaries will provide valuable support as they navigate their academic pursuits.

Taylor’s dedication to her field stems from personal experience, witnessing the challenges her family faced in accessing speech pathology services in her hometown. Motivated by this firsthand encounter, she is committed to returning to rural communities post-graduation to make a meaningful difference. Her story underscores the importance of addressing healthcare disparities in regional areas, a cause she is passionate about championing.

Echoing Taylor’s sentiments, Bhatia highlighted the exceptional quality of applicants and the Foundation’s commitment to supporting students pursuing tertiary education in regional settings. “We are very pleased Taylor has accepted the scholarship,” she said. Bhatia emphasised the Foundation’s focus on professions crucial to regional development, such as speech pathology, teaching, geology, and veterinary science.
“The QCoal Foundation Scholarship not only provides financial aid but also nurtures a sense of community responsibility among recipients,” Bhatia continued. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate their dedication to giving back to regional areas, aligning with the Foundation’s mission to foster sustainable growth and development in these communities.

Bhatia further emphasised the Foundation’s long-term investment in its recipients, tracking their career progression beyond graduation. Many past recipients are now making significant contributions to regional, rural, and remote areas, underscoring the impact of the Foundation’s support beyond academic achievement.

“As the Foundation continues its mission to empower the next generation of regional leaders,” said Bhatia, “it encourages future applicants to seize the opportunity and showcase their commitment to regional development.” By investing in these bright minds, the QCoal Foundation is not only supporting individual aspirations but also contributing to the prosperity and vitality of regional Queensland.

The QCoal Foundation Scholarship was established in 2015 to support students from regional and remote Queensland to achieve tertiary studies at James Cook University. A new $30,000 is awarded each year. To learn more click here.