April 13, 2016
Former Nanango State High School student Isobel Tonkin has received a $20,000 scholarship from the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Isobel, 18, was awarded a Renouf Family Scholarship for academic excellence, one of two awarded to new USC students this year.
The Renouf Family Scholarships were established in 2008 by Sir Clem Renouf in memory of his parents for giving him the best educational opportunity possible under challenging circumstances.
Isobel, who achieved an OP3, has started a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at USC.
“I was completely surprised but really happy to be awarded a scholarship,” she said.
“Mum and Dad were over the moon when I told them. I moved from Nanango to go to USC, so it will really help with accommodation costs and visiting home.
“I had heard really good things about USC and I’m a country girl, so the idea of going to a smaller university appealed to me.”
Isobel said she had been motivated to study Biomedical Science by her desire to learn more about how the human body functions.
“I felt like the degree would be really interesting and a good challenge,” she said. “I’m looking forward to learning more about human physiology, and particularly what goes on inside the body when it contracts a disease.
“In my classes so far, the lecturers and teachers have been great. They make a real effort to ensure we all understand the content.”
The other $20,000 Renouf Family Scholarship was awarded to Karla van Huyssteen, the 2015 school captain of Maryborough’s Riverside Christian College who is studying a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Deans Scholars Program at USC.
