Mum inspires First Nations scholarship recipient

University of the Sunshine Coast

A Bachelor of Business student inspired by her mother’s saying ‘knowledge is power’ is one of three University of the Sunshine Coast students to receive a Unitywater scholarship.

Mel Farmer, who is combining full-time work at Sunshine Coast Council with her second year of study at UniSC, received the utility’s Bright Future for First Nation Students Scholarship, which was first offered in 2022.

Unitywater CEO Anna Jackson said, “Mel is a passionate, proud and driven First Nations woman from the Yuin nation in New South Wales.

“This extraordinary woman studies and works full-time while raising three children, one of whom is living with a disability.”

Ms Farmer welcomed the opportunity to encourage more support for First Nations people.

“In the future, I would like to see more diverse and inclusive workplaces, with all the doors of opportunity open to First Nations people, and I commend Sunshine Coast Council for their efforts in this space,” she said.

“‘Knowledge is power’ is a saying my mum used when I was growing up and she is so right.

“I plan on using my degree to make a difference in the business sector and inspire others to embrace study and better themselves.

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