Hoskins Lithgow Scholarship

Scholar Profiles

Joint Hoskins Lithgow Scholars 2010


Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts
Degree: Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science
Institution: Charles Sturt University (Wagga Wagga campus)

Emily won a scholarship to attend Blue Mountains Grammar School for the last two years of her schooling. She completed her HSC there in 2005 and was Dux of the school.

She commenced a double degree in Veterinary Biology and Veterinary Science in 2006. The scholarship will assist her to fund the remaining 18 months of her course while, in addition to her study, she is required to complete a number of practical placements throughout the state. She will complete her degree, including an honours component in the middle of 2011.

Emily intends to gain experience in general veterinary practice before achieving her ultimate goal of specialising in equine veterinary practice in a rural area.


Ainsley Savage

Ainsley Savage
Degree: Bachelor of Laws (majoring in Industrial Relations and Human Resources)/Bachelor of Business
Institution: Griffith University (Gold Coast campus)

Ainsley left La Salle Academy in 2005, having been involved in school sports, the school's mentoring program and various fundraising activities. On leaving school, she deferred university for a year and worked at Centennial Coal at the Angus Place Colliery while she completed a Certificate III in Business Administration.

When she has completed her studies, Ainsley would like to return to a mining community where she is keen to promote the rights of individuals, hoping to ensure that jobs will be available in the future to help keep small communities alive. She has been inspired by her work at Centennial Coal and by her late grandfather, Jack Savage, who played a significant role in the union movement around the local coal mines.


Rhiannon Walding

Rhiannon Walding
Degree: Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts
Institution: University of Newcastle

Rhiannon left Lithgow High School in 2009. She was joint Vice Captain of the school and held a number of leadership positions throughout her high school years.

She has taught guitar, banjo and piano in Lithgow. Rhiannon was involved in school soccer and is also a Level 1 soccer coach and a Class 3 Provisional Referee. She has been a volunteer tutor for infants and primary aged children at the Lithgow Homework Centre as well as being a tireless and successful fundraiser for MS.

Rhiannon enjoyed her education at Lithgow High School and, if the opportunity arose, she would like to come back and teach at the school.

Joint Hoskins Lithgow Scholars 2009

Alexandra Legge

Alexandra Legge
Degree: Bachelor of Medicine
Institution: University of Newcastle

Alexandra attended The Scots School, Bathurst, where in her last year in 2005, she was the school Vice Captain and Dux of the school. She is a keen sportswoman and has played sport for her school and for Bathurst at district, regional and state levels - tennis, hockey, soccer, swimming and water polo. She also obtained her AMEB Grade 6 violin certificate.

Alexandra is studying Medicine at the University of Newcastle. She is keen to specialise in obstetrics and gynaecology and work in a rural area as she sees the need for these services particularly in rural areas. She is also interested in educating rural communities in sexual health issues.


Melissa Smith

Melissa Smith
Degree: Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
Institution: University of NSW

Melissa attended La Salle Academy finishing in 2006. She was School Captain and Dux of the school. Outside school, Melissa also represented Lithgow in swimming competitions throughout the State and was Captain of the Lithgow Swimming Club from 2003-2005. She taught swimming as part of a voluntary program run by the Club.

Melissa is studying Medicine at the University of NSW. She aims to practice medicine in a rural setting as she can see that families can be isolated from medical treatment by distance and she would like to help fill the need in rural areas.

Joint Hoskins Lithgow Scholars 2008

Victor Rufus

Victor Rufus
Degree: Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Science
Institution: Australian National University, Canberra

Victor completed his HSC at Lithgow High School in 2006, achieving his AMusA in the same year. During 2007, he worked to save for his university course. He was selected by the Mitchell Conservatorium to teach there during that year.

He plays both guitar and trombone and has performed as a solo artist in a number of bands/ensembles. He won a number of competitions and eisteddfods throughout his school career. Victor continues to do well in his studies, teaches at a number of institutions and plays gigs around Canberra to help fund his course. When he completes his studies, Victor aims to continue his teaching and musical career, possibly in the Lithgow region.


Daniel Simpson

Daniel Simpson
Degree: Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic)
Institution: Charles Sturt University (Bathurst campus)

Daniel completed his HSC in 2007 at Lithgow High School. He was joint school captain and spent four years as a member of the Lithgow Youth council - an advisory body which liaises with Council on the needs of the youth of Lithgow. He also coached a local junior soccer team for four years and played the game himself.

He has had his heart set on being a paramedic for some time, having been inspired by the desire to help a friend who suffered severe panic attacks. He has already acquired considerable experience in the field. Daniel has been a St John Ambulance volunteer since 2005 and has obtained a number of advanced paramedical qualifications through this membership. He has also completed work experience and clinical placements in hospitals around the region.

In 2009, Daniel was selected to participate in an international exchange program and studied for a semester in Canada at Trent University. Daniel's degrees will qualify him as a Registered Nurse and a Paramedic - both much needed resources in the community.

Hoskins Lithgow Scholar 2006-2007

Kate Purcell

Kate Purcell
Degree: (Graduate) Bachelor of Laws
Institution: University of New South Wales

Kate completed her HSC in 1999 at Lithgow High School and was accepted into Macquarie University to study Arts/Law. She left having gained her Arts degree only, as she was having difficulty financing her studies.

The award of the Hoskins Lithgow Scholarship, enabled to her to complete her law degree at the University of New South Wales where she gained outstanding results and was awarded the University Medal in Law.

While studying at UNSW, Kate was selected to work as a volunteer for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in Canberra during her Christmas vacation in 2006/7. In 2007, she was selected to participate in the China Model United Nations conference in Harbin, China, following which she was invited to co-author a paper for the Australian Yearbook on International Law.

Since completing her law degree, Kate has continued her studies in England, no longer with the assistance of the Hoskins Scholarship. In 2008, she was awarded the prestigious Chevening Scholarship to study a BCL at Oxford University. She has completed that and has now commenced a PhD at Cambridge University.

Kate would like to pursue a career involving environmental, criminal and human rights, including indigenous rights. She would be proud to work in the local community at Lithgow should the opportunity arise.

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