Josh's story
Josh is a young Palawa man from Tasmania who grew up in Sale, regional Victoria and spent his adolescent years helping his dad fix cars. Today, Josh is studying a Bachelor of Business and has great aspirations to start his own business one day. When Josh learned about Monash’s support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, he knew it was the university for him. But he needed the support of the Monash alumni and donor community to get here.
With the help of his uncle, Josh toured six different universities across Victoria looking for the right place for him to continue his studies after high school.
But it was Monash’s William Cooper Institute - a hub for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, that made him feel at home.
“They shared information about other unis to help me make the right decision for me,” he says. “They just want the best for students.”
Thanks to a scholarship, Josh was able to move from regional Victoria to Melbourne to study at Monash.The scholarship also allowed Josh to replace his ageing laptop and dedicate more time to his studies, instead of working to make ends meet.
Josh says he’s incredibly grateful for the support of the Monash community, and the William Cooper Institute, where he’s found another family. He’s even reconnected with a cousin and they’re enjoying student life together.
“I’m in there every day, all day and help out wherever I can. I was a student ambassador and I worked with them doing summer day camps.
The William Cooper Institute is everything – from academic support, textbooks and information on scholarships to the support of my community,” Josh says.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students like Josh have the opportunity to take their place in higher education, and find the support they need at the William Cooper Institute – so they can take on the world.
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Our generous alumni and donor community have helped fund the scholarships changing these students’ lives – but many students are still missing out. Please support these students in the pursuit of their ambitions. Gifts of $2 and more are tax deductible.