Indigenous Scholarship Winner

Honey Makiakama , a 2022 year 12 Student, is about to begin a social work degree at Victoria University next week. Honey left home two years ago to live with Michelle and Grant Sing in Kyabram.  Over her school life Honey attended six different schools between NSW and Victoria. It was when Honey moved to her Kyabram family,  that she felt very supported  and opportunities started coming her way.

Honey worked at Bakers Delight whilst doing VCE at our college. Mrs Lolicato introduced Honey to Centrelink to help fund her basic needs.  Honey put her hand up to help and give back by making toasties for younger students two mornings a week as part of the breakfast program. 

Honey received three scholarships last year, her first was the Indigenous MADEC Scholarship. The interviewer asked Honey about her life and what are her goals were for the future. She was successful with her application and from this scholarship Honey received a computer, materials to support her education and a trip to Melbourne to check out the universities she could attend this year. 

Helen Walsh helped Honey with an application for the David Burgess Scholarship, which is a scholarship to support a student who has shown great resilience through tough times and is now on a journey to success. Honey was one of only three students in Victoria who was awarded this scholarship. Rewards gained from this scholarship include accommodation expenses and mentors to help her on her journey.

Honey also received a “Lift Off Scholarship” sponsored  by Shepparton local businesses to support students with ongoing learning at a tertiary level. 

Winning these scholarships has given Honey an opportunity to enrol in university and chase her dreams of becoming a social worker. She plans to help children who may be in similar situations which Honey had experienced in the past. Honey has always wanted to help children and was offered a place at Victoria University to do a Bachelor’s in social work. 

Well done Honey!