ECU staff and Bendat Equity Scholarship recipients at Edith Cowan House.
Edith Cowan University (ECU) recently celebrated the inaugural Bendat Family Foundation Equity Scholarships with a ceremony at Edith Cowan House on Joondalup Campus.
These Scholarships, aimed at supporting students in critical areas of study such as nursing, social work, and teaching, mark an important milestone in the Bendat Family Foundation's commitment to education and community service.
Awarded for the first time this year, the scholarships will help students throughout the duration of their degree. The Scholarship will widen participation and break down barriers that restrict entry to education and aims to support students with social and economic disadvantage to thrive at university.
Several recipients of the 2024 Bendat Scholarships shared their gratitude and plans for the future.
Bachelor of Science (Nursing) student Richard Cavenoni said that receiving the Scholarship made academia more accessible and achievable.
"The Scholarship gives me the confidence and resources to strive for something meaningful. I feel empowered to work towards becoming a nurse, a profession where I can dedicate myself to caring for and looking after others."
Bachelor of Social Work student, Chantal Moore, plans to pay the generosity forward.
"I plan on paying the Foundation's generosity forward with my work and commitment to Australian families as I learn more about research in the area of childhood mental health and wellbeing."
Bachelor of Education (Secondary) student, Erin Lynch, highlighted the Scholarship's personal meaning for her.
"Being able to teach drama and English holds immense significance to me. With this Scholarship, the Foundation has not only alleviated the financial burden of my education but also provided me with the invaluable encouragement to pursue this dream of mine."
Giving back to the WA community
Jack and Eleanor Bendat established the Bendat Family Foundation to give back to the Western Australian community.
Arriving in Australia with very little, the Bendats were met with generosity and kindness, which helped them build a wonderful life for their family. Their Foundation focuses on improving lives, supporting families, and enabling individuals to contribute actively to Western Australia. They firmly believed that education is transformative and seek to make it more accessible to Western Australians.
The Bendat Family Foundation highlighted the significance of the scholarships.
"We have purposely chosen to focus these scholarships on areas of study) that will lead to careers in areas where people are very much needed in Western Australia, particularly in regional and rural areas. The recipients of these scholarships are all very motivated and focused on the impact they can have in the community."
The Scholarships not only provide financial assistance but also serve as an investment in the recipients' futures and their potential contributions to the community.
"A scholarship is not only a way to assist an individual to receive an education. It is an investment in their future and is transformative for them and their family," the Foundation said.
"Education can completely change the trajectory of an individual's life."
These Scholarships are a testament to the Bendat Family Foundation's mission to support education and enrich community development. The impact of these Scholarships extends beyond financial assistance, providing recipients with the support and encouragement needed to achieve their educational and professional goals.
As the first ECU recipients embark on their journeys, they carry with them the legacy of Jack and Eleanor Bendat's generosity and commitment to making a difference in Western Australia.
Find out more about Scholarships at ECU.
