Whyalla student Paris Pauling is one of 287 rural and regional students to receive a tertiary scholarship from the $1.1 million 2020 Bendigo and Adelaide Bank program.

Paris has enrolled in the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Enhanced Program, and will join four other scholarship country recipients to study at Flinders University.

“I have lived in Whyalla all my life and have always been passionate about every area of science, particularly chemistry,” she says.

“Without the scholarship, it would be impossible for me to undertake my studies,” she says of moving to Adelaide and starting the course.

“To stay in my comfort zone at home would have literally meant forfeiting an opportunity I have worked towards for as long as I can remember.

“After completing my studies, I would love to begin my career anywhere in the world of chemistry, researching and developing materials’ properties and working on their development for sustainability, efficiency and longevity.”

Since 2011, the bank’s community program has funded 23 Flinders University students to transition to tertiary education.

The Bendigo and Adelaide Bank scholarship program started in 2007 and has provided $9.2 million in support almost 1,000 Australian students. The financial support contributes to the costs of accommodation, travel, course materials, study equipment and tutoring.

Scholarship recipients include courses ranging from biomedical and material science, chemistry, medicine, psychology, nursing and midwifery, physiotherapy and public health.

The scholarships are part of the bank’s Community Enterprise Foundation which focuses on offering communities and not-for-profit organisations across Australia the opportunity to raise and distribute tax-effective donations to benefit their own communities.