2010 Further Education Bursary award winners

Vision Australia would like to thank those who generously support the Further Education Bursaries.

Our Further Education Bursaries

It is with great pleasure that Vision Australia presents the 2010 Further Education Bursaries.

Together with our supporters, we are proud to help students who are blind or have low vision to achieve their life goals. The Further Education Bursary aims to assist clients who would not otherwise be able to buy adaptive technology, thus increasing their ability to participate in further education.

Since 1996, almost 200 bursaries have been awarded by Vision Australia to students studying a broad range of disciplines - from Natural Medicine to Music and Business. This year 23 Vision Australia clients from Victoria, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland and Tasmania are receiving bursaries.

Adaptive technology can eliminate barriers to education and enhance access to information. It enables students to read course material, conduct research and secure employment.

What is adaptive technology

Adaptive technology is software and hardware that enables people who are blind or have low vision to access reading material in a format of their choice, whether this is audio, large print, braille or electronic information.

This technology is essential for accessing computer software in areas such as word processing, spreadsheets and presentations. It also enables access to the internet and
email applications, as well as note-taking in class. These adaptive technologies include computers with speech output, electronic braille displays and devices for electronically scanning printed material.

2010 bursary recipients

Congratulations to all recipients on their outstanding achievements and to the generous supporters who are helping them to achieve their goals.

ACT

• Kimberlee McFarlane of Dunlop is studying a Bachelor of Science Psychology at The Australian National University (ANU).

New South Wales

• Ria Andriani of Campsie is studying a Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Arts at the University of New South Wales.
• Katie Butler is studying a Bachelor of Social Science at The University of Newcastle.
• Tiffany Elliott of Warrimoo is studying a Graduate Diploma in Social Science at the University of New England.
• Justin Hardman of Armidale is studying a Bachelor of Criminology at the University of New England.
• Sadaya Marathe of Ashfield is studying a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering at the University of New South Wales.
• Benjamin Phillips of Paddington is studying a Bachelor Degree of Early Childhood Education at Charles Sturt University.
• James Titherington of Armidale is studying a Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Arts at the University of New England.
• Yasmine Young of Minto is studying a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) at the University of Western Sydney.

Queensland

• Janian Barron of Wilsonton is studying Honours in a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) at the University of Southern Queensland.
• Nicole Damarra of Sippy Downs is studying a Bachelor of Social Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
• Tara Heffernan of Ipswich is studying a Bachelor of Fine Art at Griffith University.
• Shahram Jazan of Ferny Grove is studying a Bachelor of Social Work at Queensland University of Technology.
• Jennea Kitt of Kingston is studying a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science
• at James Cook University.
• Joanne Short of Fortitude Valley is studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts/Bachelor of IT at Queensland University of Technology.
• Estelle Walker of Ipswich is studying a Diploma of Community Services Work at Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE.

Tasmania

• Kirby Harris of Sandford Tasmania is studying an Associated Degree of Music Studies at The University of Tasmania Conservatorium of Music.

Victoria

• Preetika Chand of Narre Warren South is studying an Advanced Diploma of Management at Holmesglen TAFE.
• Candice Hilton of Kyabram is studying a Diploma of Community Welfare Work at Goulburn Ovens TAFE.
• Samuel Hodson of East Malvern is studying Occupational Therapy at Latrobe University.
• Casey Hyde of Caulfield North (formerly of Perth) is studying an Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy at RMIT.
• Jela Ivankovic-Waters of Fitzroy is studying a Masters of Landscape Architecture at
• The University of Melbourne.
• Kieran Stubbs of Mount Martha is studying a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Communications at Deakin University.

Thank you to our sponsors

We would like to sincerely thank our supporters for making a difference by sponsoring the Vision Australia Further Education Bursaries. Their generous contributions help to lift the barriers that could otherwise prevent people who are blind or have low vision from following their chosen career paths.

• Mrs H Violet Angliss
• Mr E and Mrs M E Attard
• Mr Alan and Mrs Ness Curry
• Mr Dennis A Davis
• Ms Zoe Davis
• Mrs Judith Fritz
• Mrs Rosalind Griggs
• Mr and Mrs Grimsdale
• Mr James Holt
• Mr and Mrs Geoff Howard
• Mrs Gillian and Mr Giles Hunt
• Lady Catherine Kater
• Mr Graham H Matheson
• The McCulloch Family
• Miss Ann E Miller
• T Rainsford Pty Ltd
• Ms Elizabeth Russell
• Mr Maxwell Schroder
• Mrs Adrienne Shaw
• Mrs June and Mr Neville Smith
• Lady Marigold M Southey AC
• Mrs Beatrice Annie Wyatt

All enquiries about the Vision Australia Further Education Bursary Awards should be directed to: