Drewvale Student Among Charlie Bell Scholarship Winners

Three young Queensland women, including one from Drewvale, have been awarded the prestigious 2024 Charlie Bell Scholarship.

The scholarship, provided by Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland (RMHC SEQ), offers $5,000 grants to young people aged 15-20 whose education has been affected by illness or injury and who are pursuing further studies.

Scholarship Winners

RMHC SEQ Chief Executive Officer Emma Thompson congratulated the recipients and wished them well in their future endeavours. She acknowledged the difficulties these young people face when dealing with health issues, noting that education can often be disrupted. Ms Thompson emphasised the value of the Charlie Bell Scholarship program and the organisation’s privilege in supporting young people in achieving their aspirations. The recipients, their families, RMHC SEQ staff, and volunteers, celebrated at a function held at Ronald McDonald House, South Brisbane.

Drewvale Student’s Resilience

Maryam Moradi from Drewvale, who lives with Goldenhar Syndrome, a rare congenital condition, described the hospital as a familiar place. She said that her medical experiences have inspired her to pursue a career in medicine. Ms Moradi explained that her education had been impacted by numerous appointments, surgeries, and procedures despite the support she received from her school. She stated that the Charlie Bell Scholarship has reinforced her belief in her abilities and given her the confidence to pursue a challenging career.

Other Recipients’ Stories

Ella Schwarz, who lives with stage 4 endometriosis, described the constant pain she experiences. Despite this, she has excelled in her studies and received an early offer to study a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) / Bachelor of Justice at the Queensland University of Technology. Ms Schwarz said her experiences had taught her resilience and the importance of giving back to the community. She believes the Charlie Bell Scholarship will enable her to use her experiences to make a difference.

Erin Formann, diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis, a brain tumour, and polycystic kidney disease, spoke about the impact of chronic illness on her education. She explained that her frequent hospital admissions have affected her academic progress, as well as her social and emotional well-being. Ms Formann hopes to become a nurse and expressed her gratitude for the scholarship, which will fund her Certificate III in Pathology Collection and necessary equipment.

Support for Further Education

Ms Thompson described the three young women as inspirational, demonstrating that determination makes anything possible. The scholarship grants can be used for various educational expenses, including university or TAFE fees, apprenticeship tools, and other supplies.

Published Date 19-F eb-2025

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