Promising Young Futures with Altitude Scholarships
Georgia Beard reveals how Altitude Scholarships is helping exceptional young Australians reach their potential since last year’s launch of the sponsored scholarship program.
As the sun sank over the Noosa River, business owners from every industry came together in support of one purpose – to raise talented young people to greater heights.
Celebrating the evolution of Altitude Scholarships, the Autumn Sundowners Soirée invited gifted students, sponsors and supporters to connect over a fundraising auction, light refreshments and canapés by Chef Matt Golinski.
New relationships were formed, success stories were shared, and supporters discovered exactly how their investments were transforming distant aspirations into achievable goals.
Altitude Scholarships has partnered with individuals and businesses to sponsor promising young futures since 2019, when CEO Tara Bell established the not-for-profit organisation, originally called Noosa Chances.
Expanding to interstate students and supporters, Altitude Scholarships now sponsors over 70 recipients from Noosa and Caloundra to Sydney and Wagga Wagga to Newstead, Hellyer and Hobart in Tasmania.
“The community’s support of our talented recipients has been extraordinary and astonishingly broadly based,” Tara said.
“There are local and interstate families supporting students as well as foundations and businesses, including the Brisbane-based Epic Good Foundation; Melbourne-based Bennelong Foundation and Qube; and Sydney-based fund managers Auscap Asset Management and Firetrail Investments.
“Altitude’s scholarships are unapologetically merit-based, which makes these young people who overcome so many additional hurdles in their educational journey and achievements so thoroughly inspiring to the community.”
At Autumn Sundowners, MC Sam Coward introduced guests to three outstanding young people supported by Auscap Asset Management, Macintyre Family and Dr Bradley Wong.
From neurology to marine biology to music, Parish, Piper and Jessica are passionately pursuing their chosen disciplines on paths made clear by their sponsors.
We’re just as passionate about fostering a younger generation of change-makers, providing scholarships for two local students through IN Noosa Magazine and Hello Sunshine Magazine.
In addition to financial support, Madeline and Eva have enjoyed work experience on editorial and fashion shoots. Now Eva is completing a Bachelor of Arts / Business with majors in Marketing and English, propelling her into a career in the publishing industry!
With a future secured through financial support, students experience a rise in self-esteem, a reduction in stress and anxiety, and a sustained rise in engagement in their learning.
In 2022, the Altitude Scholarships Recipient Wellbeing Survey found 100% of recipients agree or strongly agree that receiving an Altitude Scholarship increases their hope for the future and their motivation to work hard.
Compared to the Tell Them From Me survey norm of 76%, 81% of recipients also reported they like and accept themselves and are proud of their accomplishments – an increase from 74% in 2021.
Encouraged and confident, these students consistently apply themselves in their learning and plan to complete their final year of school – a sign we’re leaving our future in capable hands.
Initially supporting students with community donations and fundraising, Altitude commenced the sponsored scholarship program over a year ago and are now building their team and refining the business model as national and international interest grows.
“It is an exciting period as we bed down our internal processes to ensure we are scalable and able to grow sustainably across Australia,” Tara said.
“We are thrilled to recently announce the appointment of two new Board members who will complement our existing team’s skill set extremely well and help catapult us into our next phase of maturity.”
President of the Australian Secondary Principals’ Association, Andrew Pierpoint, joins Altitude Scholarships as a Board Director with over 37 years of education experience in rural and remote communities through to regional and metropolitan schools; and Bruce Swan of BDO Australia brings a wealth of experience as a Chartered Accountant, particularly through his work with not-for-profit and charity organisations, companies, and body corporates on the Sunshine Coast.
With an ever-expanding network of willing sponsors and mentors, Tara believes there’s no aspiration our younger generations can’t achieve.
“Altitude Scholarships would ultimately like to assist as many young people as we can – anywhere in the world – to reach their potential,” Tara said.
“It’s as simple as that.”
JOIN US FOR A LONG WINTER’S LUNCH
You’re invited to experience A Long Winter’s Lunch with MC Sam Coward.
Arrive at Your Mates Bowls Pub in the style of a vintage lawn bowler for the chance to win Best Dressed with prizes from IN Noosa Magazine before indulging in a sumptuous three-course banquet.
From 3pm, take part in lawn bowls in teams of four with more prizes up for grabs!
Ian ‘Shoey’ Schuback, former four-time lawn bowls World Champion, will demonstrate how it’s done. It promises to be fun!
When: Saturday 12 August, 12pm – 4pm (or until stumps if you wish)
Where: Your Mates Bowls Pub, 5 Opal Street, Cooroy
Tickets: $95pp includes a shared banquet of entrees, mains, sides and a cheese selection by Matt Golinski and the Your Mates Team. Drinks, including champagne, fine wine and craft beer are available for purchase.
Visit www.altitudescholarships.org to find out more and book tickets online.
