In February 2025, four deserving students from Moranbah were awarded scholarships through the Moranbah Community Scholarship Program. This initiative, established in 1997, aims to support local students to pursue tertiary education.
The program’s funding model involves members from both the Goonyella Riverside and Peak Downs lodges contributing a dollar every week from their union dues, a practice that continues today.
Over the years, the community, including the Isaac Regional Council and Moranbah Community Worker’s Club, has bolstered the fund, enabling it to provide over $3.2 million in scholarships to eligible students.
Recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare indicates that in 2023, 41% of individuals aged 20–64 in major cities held a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 20% in remote and very remote areas. This disparity underscores the importance of programs like the Moranbah Community Scholarship in enhancing educational access for regional students.
Each year, a select number of scholarships are awarded to assist with expenses associated with studying away from home.
This year, Annabelle Binnekamp has secured a four-year, $24,000 scholarship to study a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the University of Canberra’s Bruce Campus.
“Year 12 and the transition into university can be challenging. I faced personal and family hardship during that time, but the community scholarship has eased the financial pressure and supported my move away from home for study. Once I complete my Bachelor in Physiotherapy, I plan to return to rural communities that often struggle to find health care workers. For anyone considering the Moranbah Community Scholarship, my advice is to apply, it eases the challenges of moving away from home and adjusting to uni life.”
Charlotte Sneyd received a four-year, $24,000 scholarship to pursue a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern Queensland’s Toowoomba Campus.
“Funding such as the MEU scholarship is very beneficial for youth to have access to, especially when completing their studies away from home. It allows them the same opportunities as any metropolitan student and allows them to excel to their full capacity.”
Encouraging others to apply, Charlotte added, “to the youth in the region thinking about applying for this scholarship – you 100% have to! This can be the make or break of your studies. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and will give you a boost into your future career.”
Maia West, who was awarded a four-year scholarship totalling $24,000 to study for a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at CQ University’s Rockhampton Campus, echoed the sentiment.
“In attaining this scholarship I will be able to fully embrace the university experience. I can now focus on my studies without the stress on how I am going to pay for it. I will be able to gain more skills to bring back to the Moranbah region upon completion of my studies.
“It is so important that regional youth have access to these kinds of scholarships.”
Congratulations to this year’s recipients. Maia, Charlotte, Annabelle and Devlin Monssen who was granted a three-year scholarship worth $18,000 to undertake a Bachelor of Science at James Cook University’s Cairns Campus.
Image caption: Maia West with MEU President Simon West and Mayor Kelly Vea Vea.
