Our Recipients 

My name is Jessica McDougall, I am a 30-year-old mother and wife living in a small remote mining town called Weipa. I am currently studying my first year of Bachelor of Nursing through CQUniversity. There is most definitely a juggling act between work, study and being a good mother and wife. However, I am very lucky to have a supportive group of family, friends and work colleagues. I was one of the successful recipients of Connellan Airway Trust’s academic scholarships. I would like to discuss what the scholarship has offered for me beyond financial assistance.  Being a successful recipient of this scholarship gave me something that a dollar value cannot compare with. It has instilled in me a level of confidence in my academic ability as a mature student I was lacking. To have an organization believe and invest in my future is really gratifying. Additionally, it has linked me in with other incredibly passionate rural academics. The energy and enthusiasm by Connellan Airway Trust between its partnership with scholarship recipients really encourages me to put my best foot forward, not only for myself but for my family and community. Studying rurally can be a challenge. At times there is unreliable internet, wet season power outages and higher costs in living expenses. However, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages beyond a doubt. For anyone who is studying or thinking of taking up study, don’t doubt yourself. Living rural and remote has its disadvantages, furthering your education is not one of them. There is so much support out there. Connellan Airways Trust is the perfect example of this. By investing in a rural individual, they are investing in the future of our country towns.