Cairns student receives 2020 Dr. Evelyn Scott Scholarship
Bupa has announced the recipient of the 2020 Dr. Evelyn Scott Scholarship as Trenae Jia; a Cairns resident of the Yidinji, Kuku Yalanji and Badu Island people.
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The scholarship valued at $10,000 will contribute to covering the costs associated with completing Trenae’s Bachelor of Exercise Science and a Bachelor of Psychological Science degrees at Griffith University as well as her broader personal development goals.
The Dr. Evelyn Scott Scholarship is awarded annually by Bupa to honour the legacy of Dr. Scott, a resident of Bupa Mt Sheridan and a proud Indigenous leader who spent her life fighting for rights of all peoples.
Like Dr. Scott, Trenae was recognised as a strong advocate and supporter of her community. Along with working as an Indigenous Teacher Aide at Helensvale State High School, Trenae mentors Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students in the Gold Coast and Logan area through her involvement with AIME. As a mentor she visits local schools once a week to offer academic and social support to students.
Trenae said she will use the scholarship to help her cover the cost of university and support her ambition of volunteering overseas.
"I was in shock when I received the call from Bupa congratulating me. I burst into tears and called my parents straight away. This scholarship means so much to me and will open up a world of opportunities for my personal, educational and professional development."
“The scholarship will also allow me to regularly return to Cairns to visit my family without the stress of managing travel costs from the Gold Coast where I study,” said Trenae.
Trenae has also gained high-level industry experience through the completion of a summer internship at Bupa as part of its indigenous CareerTrackers program.
Bupa Cindy Shay, Bupa’s Director of Health Partnerships & Innovation congratulated Trenae on her outstanding achievements in the community and the workplace.
“Trenae is an outstanding individual who embodies the values of Dr. Scott and we were incredibly grateful to have her intern with us at Bupa.”
“We’re passionate about supporting future female leaders and providing education and employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It’s a privilege to be able to honour Dr Scott’s legacy by supporting talented students like Trenae.” said Ms Shay.
This is the second year Bupa has offered the scholarship, with Keisha Nash, a Monash Medical School student, the first recipient in 2019. In addition to supporting the costs associated with study, Keisha used her scholarship to complete a two-week placement at
Thursday Island hospital and has been invited back this year to continue her learning through the John Flynn Rural Placement Scholarship Scheme.
More information on the Dr Evelyn Scott Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Scholarship is available here.
