Gordon Institute of TAFE, Victoria

The George Alexander Foundation Study Support Scholarship

$35,000 (part of a commitment of $175,000 over six years)

Rewarding commitment, leadership and community involvement is at the heart of this scholarship program – one of few available to TAFE students. The Program offers three Scholarships each year as well as five bursaries of $1,000 to assist students with additional expenses of their studies. www.gordontafe.edu.au and certificate is one I will always remember. The pride Nan radiated as she paraded them in front of anyone she could find, helped to reinforce my own accomplishments.

As a mature-aged student, Elisa finds that achieving the balance between the day-to-day demands of maintaining a household and her desire to realise her full potential in the IT field is quite a juggling act.

Student Profile

Elisa Parker, GAF Scholar 2008

Second-year student, Diploma Information Technology/Advanced Diploma Information Technology (Network Security) (two-year diploma course)

What challenges did the transition to tertiary education present for you?

Returning to study after 17 years away from the books was daunting. Would I fit in? Could we survive financially?

How would I cope with the study load? So many challenges ran through my mind that enrolling in my course at Gordon almost didn’t happen.

How did the GAF scholarship help address these challenges?

Of the challenges I mentioned, the most inhibiting is surviving financially.

My drive to achieve the best result that I am capable of can easily be hampered by the need to keep our roof over our heads. The financial assistance provided by The George Alexander Foundation Scholarship has relieved much of the burden and concern relating to making ‘ends meet’.

Has the scholarship brought other benefits? Any benefits you did not really expect or anticipate?

The evening I showed my Nana The George Alexander Foundation medallion

Recipient Course

Claire Eats

David Graham

Nathan Hobbs

Sadly, Nan passed away the night before my first final exam. The memory of that evening was the motivator that made me still sit that exam (with very red puffy eyes) and pass with a very pleasing mark of 92%.

I believe that Mr George Alexander’s selflessness is a trait that has almost disappeared in society. The real benefit of being a recipient of this scholarship is not the dollar amount but knowing that there is good in the world and that I have the ability to pass it on.

Why did you choose the course you are studying?

My genuine interest in the Information Technology (IT) industry reaches back to 1990 when I purchased my first computer and I continue to love the challenges they offer. I knew that to gain the knowledge and confidence to be employed in the IT field, I had to undertake formal training. My passion and skills needed to be complemented with tertiary qualifications. I can now look forward to a career doing what I love and assisting others with my knowledge.

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