A scholarship from the NT Agricultural Association is helping Emma Phillips balance study and a mortgage.
The 28-year-old is one of many Charles Darwin University students to be honoured at scholarship presentation ceremonies across the campuses this Wednesday, 24 May.
Emma has been living on-campus in Katherine since January, when she began studying a Certificate II in Agriculture and Certificate II in Animal Studies through CDU.
After hearing about the NT Agricultural Association Scholarship from Rural Studies Director Brian Heim, she decided to apply, and won the scholarship.
The scholarship entitles Emma to $455, which she intends to put towards her accommodation costs.
“I have a mortgage in Darwin and just being on Austudy, I found it really hard to pay the balance. I wouldn’t have been able to go ahead with Certificate III in Agriculture without this scholarship,” she said.
Emma said a love of animals prompted her decision to study at CDU’s Katherine Campus.
“With Katherine not being too far away from Darwin it’s fantastic to have these facilities so close.
“I absolutely love it. I don’t want to leave. It’s so much fun and the lecturers are extremely helpful.
“They always want you to succeed and they’re very knowledgeable in the subjects they teach,” Emma said.
Emma said she wants to broaden her animal experience beyond horses and cattle by becoming a volunteer with WIRES and gaining weekend work experience at the Katherine veterinary clinic.
She hopes there will be suitable work opportunities at the Berrimah Research Farm after she completes her studies at CDU.
CDU’s Katherine Campus Administrator, Vicki Williams, acknowledged the NT Agricultural Association’s support of the University and its students.
“We are grateful for the support the NT Agricultural Association provides to CDU through this scholarship, which helps our students work towards a bright future in the industry,” she said.
For more information about scholarships, visit www.cdu.edu.au/scholarships.