The National Doug Jukes Memorial Scholarships

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The 2009 winners announced

26 November 2009

With over 30 applications and after wide consultation and lengthy discussions two national winners of the Doug Jukes Memorial Scholarships for 2009/10 were proudly announced on the 25th November. Jennifer Truong from Cabramatta High School and Zahra Ebrahimi from Granville South High School, along with their proud families and school principals, gratefully accepted the Scholarship from Kerry Jukes and Geoff Wilson, CEO of KPMG.

Both students were chosen based on their academic ability and their likelihood of finishing Year 12 and entering tertiary education. The selection panel also considered these students most likely to benefit from mentoring support and financial assistance.

Jennifer’s family are very supportive of her education and are very pleased that Jennifer was given this opportunity. “This scholarship would provide a chance for me to attend university. I will be able to focus more on my studies instead of having to worry whether I have enough money to go to university or not. My parents would not have to cut back so much and my sisters would not have to suffer. My mother's dream would be able to come true as well as mine."

Jennifer is still thinking about what she would like to do but choosing subjects she enjoys and being involved in extra curricular school activities. Jennifer has an interest both in nursing and the entertainment industry.

Zahra and her family came to Australia from Afghanistan in 2005. Zahra’s parents, who have not attended school, are not able to assist with school work and assessments but are very proud and believe in her ability to become successful. "Australia changed my life completely, I am one of the lucky people who have been given the opportunity to make something out of life..I don’t call them dreams anymore, but place them as goals.”

Zahra has a passion for learning and is taking on every opportunity available to learn more and strengthen her education. Zahra wishes to attend university to study nursing.

The scholarship money will be paid to the students in instalments through the schools and will be spent on items such as school fees, extra tuition and other resources to prepare them for further education.

Due to the high caliber of applications the scholarship fund announced state awards of $1000 to Queensland, NSW, WA and Victorian students.

National Winners:
Zahra Ebrahimi
Jennifer Truong

State Winners:
NSW - Azada Muradi
WA - Chianne Cole
QLD - Fairuz Khan
VIC - Jamillah Noordi