Congratulations to Benjamin Lyons (Kingscliff High School graduate) and Ruby Malsen (Byron Bay High School graduate), who have each been awarded a scholarship of $2,500 thanks to the SCU Bowen Education Fund.

The Fund, established in 2009 by NRCF donors Peter and Julie Bowen and Southern Cross University supports the Scholarship Program at SCU. The scholarships provide financial assistance to help students overcome disadvantage, enabling them to focus on education so they can chase their dreams and career ambitions.

Ruby is studying a Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies at SCU’s Lismore campus, to help her pursue a career with the NSW Police Service. Ruby supported herself through the last three years of her HSC while living in a youth hostel in Byron. Her journey so far has been far from easy, but she has grown to be resilient, brave and positive – important traits that helped her finish her HSC and complete her exams.

“I am grateful and honoured to receive the SCU Bowen Scholarship for 2020,” said Ruby. “This scholarship will assist me enormously to complete my Bachelor Degree. The scholarship will help with the purchase of textbooks that I need for the course and assist in the recent changes from on-campus to online study through buying supplies for a home office.”

Ben is using a Bachelor of Business degree at SCU’s Gold Coast campus to help kick start a career in Real Estate. While he did not always know what he wanted to do with his life, once Ben discovered a passion for Real Estate, he found his academic results drastically improved and gained a strong sense of purpose.

“University has its financial pressure and the SCU Bowen Scholarship will definitely make purchasing much needed textbooks easier. As a result, I will be able to focus more on my studies,” said Ben. “I am very grateful to be chosen for the 2020 scholarship and look forward to what the future holds and achieving my goals.”