$1.1 million in Scholarship funds Awarded to Assist Regional Students

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, in conjunction with its Community Bank network and other partners has awarded more than $1.1 million to 287 students across the country as part of its 2020 Scholarship Program. The program, now in its 14th year, is designed to increase access to tertiary education for students across rural and regional Australia by providing them with financial assistance to study - in some cases, thousands of kilometres away from home.

Since 2007, the initiative has provided $9.2 million in support to almost 1,000 Australian students. The program is one of the leading privately funded scholarship programs in Australia and supports the Bank’s purpose of feeding into prosperity, not off it. The majority of program funding is provided via the internationally acclaimed Community Bank network.

The financial support will contribute to the costs of accommodation, travel, course materials, study equipment and tutoring.

Spanning seven categories, the 2020 program sees the inclusion of a new scholarship category. The inaugural Robert Johanson Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Scholarship has been created as a fitting and ongoing reminder of our former Chairman’s legacy to regional Australian communities.

Mr Johanson championed the creation in 2007 of what has today become one of the largest privately funded and best targeted scholarship programs in Australia, a program that will continue to nurture significant intellectual capital across the community. 

Scholarship recipients will study a range of professions spanning biomedical and material science, chemistry, medicine, psychology, nursing and midwifery, physiotherapy and public health.

Paris Pauling from Whyalla, South Australia studying Bachelor of Science (Honours) Enhanced Program at Flinders University.

Ms Paris Pauling, a student from Whyalla, South Australia awarded a scholarship said “My degree is offered exclusively on-campus at Flinders University and without the scholarship, it would be impossible for me to undertake my studies. To stay in my comfort zone at home would have literally meant forfeiting an opportunity I have worked towards for as long as I can remember. The upfront costs of university, let alone the effectively permanent relocation 400km away to Adelaide, were extremely overwhelming and cost prohibitive”. 

“I have lived in Whyalla all my life and have always been passionate about every area of science, particularly chemistry. After completing my studies, I would love to begin my career anywhere in the world of chemistry, researching and developing materials’ properties and working on their development for sustainability, efficiency and longevity.” 


Angus Croak from Coffs Harbour, NSW, studying Bachelor of Philosophy - Science (Honours) at Australian National University.

Another recipient, Angus Croak from Coffs Harbour said “Without the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank scholarship, I would not be able to financially support myself living 800km from home in Canberra while undertaking the demanding Bachelor of Philosophy - Science (Honours) degree at Australian National University.

I am studying Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Science Communication but am also interested in biology and earth and environment sciences.  I would love to work in fields working on the replacement of fossil fuels with hydrogen as a national fuel source, drought resistant crops and devising enhanced water treatments.”

Jacqueline Hey, Chair of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank said: “The Scholarship program is one of the Bank’s most financially and socially significant contributions to education and importantly, improves access to university and TAFE education for our young people, many of whom have to leave their home towns in rural and regional Australia to further their education.

“It has been pleasing to hear that many of these regional students, especially those studying in the health sector, have expressed a desire to return to their own or other regions where health care services typically have trouble attracting accredited professionals. 

“Since we began our scholarship programme with just one student in 2007, the number of young Australians benefiting each year has grown significantly, as has the scope of subjects undertaken. It’s exciting to imagine where their study will take them and to consider the longer-term benefit to their communities that the scholarship program can enable. I wish all our recipients every success in their studies,” Ms Hey concluded.  

Nan Caple, Chair of the Community Bank National Council said: “There has never been a more important time for the scholarship program to realise its intended outcomes. With the pandemic affecting the provision of education across all levels, our students, especially those who have been affected by job losses, need this extra support.

“Our commitment to the ongoing education of all Australians is enduring and we will continue to invest in our youth to develop leadership qualities and build the community capacity that will be needed to charter the years ahead.

“The Community Bank is a grass roots social enterprise business model where revenue is generated by the bank’s loyal customers and returned back into the community via grants, sponsorships, scholarships and donations.

“There are 320 Community Bank branches across this nation who are connected at the grass roots of their communities and know and understand the wants and needs of that community. How empowering for these recipients to know their community can support them in their education endeavours,” Ms Caple said.

Fast Facts

• Total Scholarship recipients in 2020 - 287 (including 2nd and 3rd Year recipients)
• Total amount funded to successful recipients in 2020 - $1.114 million
• Total Scholarship recipients since 2007- 981
• Total amount funded to successful recipients since 2007 - $9.2 million

A breakdown of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Scholarship Program recipients

Further information about the upcoming 2021 round of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank scholarships can be found here: www.communityenterprisefoundation.com.au/apply-for-funding