Renowned author C. S. Lewis was famously quoted as saying, “You find out the strength of a wind by trying to walk against it, not by lying down”.
It’s an apt analogy for two University of Southern Queensland students who have been named as the 2022 recipients of the MacIntyre Wind Farm Scholarship provided by ACCIONA Energía – both proving to be worthy awardees who are finding their own strength in different ways as they embark upon their first year of university studies.
Seventeen-year-old Jordarna Deithe should be completing Year 12 in 2022, but instead, she’s beginning her Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science at the University’s Toowoomba campus.
“Last year, I completed the Tertiary Preparation Pathway program as an accelerated pathway into university and was the youngest in the cohort,” she said.
“The fast-tracked study opportunity will help me in my long study journey, as I plan to utilise this undergraduate degree to help me gain entry into Medical School with my plan to work towards becoming a dermatologist one day.
“I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be supported by the MacIntyre Wind Farm Scholarship and I think it’s wonderful that ACCIONA Energía choose to generously support students like me.”
The $2,000 MacIntyre Wind Farm Scholarship was offered for the first-time last year thanks to an endowed gift from ACCIONA Energía and is open to those commencing a bachelor’s degree who reside in or have moved for study from one of the three local government areas the wind farm is being constructed in – Southern Downs Regional Council, Goondiwindi Regional Council or Toowoomba Regional Council.
The second recipient for 2022 is Natalie Coote, a mother of three who started a Bachelor of Education (Primary) as an online student from her hometown of Goondiwindi.
“I am extremely grateful to have received the scholarship and it has been especially helpful in the past several weeks specifically,” Natalie said.
“I am currently working on my second round of assessments while also working full time hours so as you could imagine, it is extremely busy time right now.
“While it is a lot of work, I am determined to give it my all and I am thriving. I have a long road ahead of me, but I am thankful that I have had support along the way.”
ACCIONA Energía Managing Director Brett Wickham said the scholarships were a great way to give back to the community.
“Supporting the communities that we operate is an essential part of our business,” Mr Wickham said.
“We’re proud to give back and support students and other worthwhile community causes.”
The recipients were recently officially recognised at the University of Southern Queensland’s Scholarships Award Ceremony.
For more information on the MacIntyre Wind Farm Scholarship.
