QUT nursing student and NEAFL goal umpire Stephanie Moller is one of 24 inspiring young people to be awarded QUT's inaugural Tim Fairfax AC Learning Potential Fund Scholarships for regional and rural students.
The scholarships, worth $5000 each, were presented to the students by Mr Fairfax AC on Thursday, May 8, at Old Government House on QUT's Gardens Point campus in Brisbane.
Stephanie, 17, from Childers, this year embarked on a nursing degree at QUT and hopes to also study paramedic science.
She combines her studies with part-time work as an Australian Rules umpire in the NEAFL (North East Australian Football League) and the QAFL (Queensland Australian Football League).
Her ultimate sports dream is to be a national league umpire and to umpire an AFL grand final with her role model, QUT journalism graduate Chelsea Roffey. In 2012 Ms Roffey became the first woman to be an umpire at an AFL grand final.
Stephanie hopes her people skills and an ability to handle pressure will serve her well as she pursues dual careers in sport and health.
"I'm very much into high-intensity, on-the-spot decision making," she said. "I think that's why paramedic science and umpiring appeal so much."
Stephanie said receiving the scholarship had made a big difference to her life and that she was very grateful to Mr Fairfax AC for his generosity.
"It's amazing - receiving the scholarship has been a blessing," she said.
"Moving from a quiet little bush town to the city is a big adjustment in itself. My family isn't wealthy and getting the scholarship meant I can breathe a bit easier. Going to university would have been a lot harder and a lot more stressful without it."
Stephanie has three younger brothers who play Aussie Rules and her parents also both umpire local games.
The former gymnast and netballer gave up her own playing career after a series of injuries.
Stephanie's proud parents, Sharon and Matthew Moller, drove to Brisbane from Childers early Thursday morning to attend the scholarship presentation ceremony at Old Government House.
Guests included Mrs Gina Fairfax and Dame Quentin Bryce, who recently relocated to a QUT office space after finishing her term as Australian Governor-General.
The Mr Tim Fairfax AC Learning Potential Fund Scholarships have been established thanks to a very significant donation to the QUT Learning Potential Fund by the pastoralist and philanthropist.
Mr Fairfax is a strong supporter of education and is the QUT Chancellor - an honorary position as the formal head of the university.
The scholarships which bear his name are open to disadvantaged and low income students from regional and remote areas in Queensland or the Northern Territory who want to study at QUT.
Applications for the 2015 scholarships will open in early October.
The scholarships are awarded through QUT's Learning Potential Fund, the university's flagship equity program, which has provided more than 15,000 scholarships and bursaries to low-income students since 1999.
Mr Fairfax AC is also president of the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation, a member of the Philanthropy Australia Board and the National Gallery of Australia Board, a councillor of the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland, and chairman of the Salvation Army Brisbane Advisory Board, the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation and the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation.
Media contact: Mechelle McMahon, QUT media officer - media@qut.edu.au
