Country Education Foundation of Australia, Media Release, March 2021
The Dunmore Lang College at Macquarie University and CEF Partnership, now in its second year, has helped another regional student begin her education journey.
Louisa Gilmour, who hails from the small town of Warialda, NSW, is the 2021 recipient of the part accommodation scholarship and says she is so thankful and ‘over the moon!‘
Louisa and her family have always lived on the land. The remote property her dad farms is 70 kilometres from the nearest town and her school, but this challenge of distance did not hinder her love for learning. Her mum, a secondary art teacher at Warialda High School for 27 years, instilled her passion for learning, art, music and leadership.
The CEF Gwydir Learning Region supported student has recently made the big move to Sydney to study her dream course, a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Media and Communications at Macquarie University.
The big move
“I am a little nervous for this big change, but I am also really excited for the endless opportunities and cultural exploration the city has to offer. Leaving my family will be the biggest challenge but I will look forward to the visits and little pieces of home that will come with them.”
Louisa says that during her search for a new home-away-from-home, she heard from friends that Dunmore Lang was a “very community-based and supportive college with a large percent of country kids” and felt it would be the perfect fit for her.
“This accommodation scholarship will alleviate so much financial burden. The assistance will allow me to focus on my double degree without financial stress and pressure to also work while I find my feet in Sydney. It will also take the burden off my parents as we sold our family farm and relocated to another property due to the drought in 2020. I am so appreciative for the support.”
Getting creative
Louisa aspires to graduate from university and gain a job and career in the creative industries. “I would love to gain international experience in film composition and media production so that in the next 10-15 years I could become established within the production of creative media.”
Louisa says she is aware of the gender discrepancy between men and women in producer roles and wants to ‘exert my creative ability whilst setting a new standard for women in the industry.”
A love for community
While music and art are Louisa’s passions, the rural community she grew up in has played a large role in shaping her individualism. Every year her family dedicates time for their community members and events. Louisa and her brother have judged sheep, fleece, produce, grain and cattle at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney.
She was also on the Student Representative Council for the past 6 years and was elected school captain of 2020. Through this, Louisa and other student leaders founded the Gwydir Youth Council, with the aim to form a youth group to be the voices for others in her community.
“We have taken concerns to Sydney Youth assemblies and to Parliament through our local members. I hope that I can further these traits in the coming years at university and Dunmore Lang College.”
