A nursing graduate who pivoted from a background in civil engineering is among nine Lord Mayor’s Scholarship recipients recognised by City of Newcastle.

In 2022, City of Newcastle expanded the Newcastle Lord Mayor’s Scholarship Program with the NSW TAFE Foundation to five categories to help more local students facing personal or financial hardship to reach their educational goals. A similar Lord Mayor’s Scholarship Program with the University of Newcastle was set up in 2015. This year, City of Newcastle will provide scholarships of between $1000 and $4000 to eight students, totaling more than $16,000.

City of Newcastle hosted nine current and recent recipients from the scholarship program at a reception with Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes this week, acknowledging their hard work, dedication and vocational success.

“These outstanding Novocastrians embody what can be achieved through fair access to tertiary education for everyone. Already, each one of these high achievers is contributing to our common goal of making Newcastle a more livable, sustainable, inclusive global city,” Cr Nelmes said.

“City of Newcastle has a proud record of supporting scholarship opportunities and empowering students to reach their potential, despite any hurdles. In the last four years we have supported 37 students through the scholarship program. I’m thrilled by this opportunity to congratulate them personally.”

Dominic Julius Gudis, 29, received the Lord Mayor’s Inclusion Scholarship last year and in June completed his Diploma of Nursing at TAFE NSW Newcastle.

Now an enrolled nurse at Lingard Hospital, Merewether, Dominic hopes to complete a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Newcastle, study medicine and ultimately become a rural GP. It’s a career pivot the Filipino expat, and former civil engineer, doesn’t regret.

“Nursing is something I’ve wanted to do since I was kid. We were very family oriented growing up in the Philippines, always taking care of our mum, our grandma and our extended family. As soon as I started nursing I thought, this is my place,” Dominic said.

“I’m glad I went through TAFE and I’d recommend it to anyone. It helps you learn about the job and it’s a stepping-stone to whatever you want to do later. I’ve definitely found my passion.”

TAFE NSW Executive Director Education and Skills North Jason Darney said the scholarship recipients reflected a diversity of career paths.

“TAFE NSW is committed to providing practical skills training along with real work experience to help people find the job they want, and to training the workforce of the future,” Jason said.

“However, choosing to study, upskill or retrain can be a difficult decision for some, as they balance cost of living pressures with study commitments. These scholarships, along with the ongoing support from the NSW TAFE Foundation, will allow students who are experiencing hardship to reach their full potential and their education goals.”

University of Newcastle Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Kent Anderson praised the nine scholarship recipients and the equity and importance of the support.

“It’s wonderful to have this kind of support from the City of Newcastle – it’s a great example of our community’s commitment to supporting equal access to higher education,” Kent said.

“The scholarship empowers students to pursue their dreams, making sure that financial hardship does not stand in the way of academic achievement and making a positive contribution to society.”

The Lord Mayor scholarship recipients through TAFE NSW and the University of Newcastle recognised this week also include:

• Astro Haddon – Lord Mayor’s Art Scholarship – TAFE NSW
• Chloe Hooper – Lord Mayor’s Art Scholarship – TAFE NSW
• Emily Lloyd – TAFE Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Scholarship – TAFE NSW
• Winnie Lynn – Lord Mayor’s Art Scholarship – TAFE NSW
• Maddison Innis – Lord Mayor’s Scholarship for Women – UoN
• Leanne Swainson – Lord Mayor’s Women Empowered Scholarship – TAFE NSW
• Chen Tai – Lord Mayor’s TAFE CALD Scholarship – TAFE NSW
• Sharnie-Marie Withers – Lord Mayor’s Arts Encouragement Award – TAFE NSW

IMAGE | Councillor Margaret Wood, Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, City of Newcastle Acting CEO David Clarke, City of Newcastle Aboriginal Engagement Partner Jody Clark, University of Newcastle Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Global Professor Kent Anderson, TAFE NSW Executive Director Jason Darney and Scholarship recipients.