Support for Lacey’s future

Lacey Grist has secured a Harding Miller education scholarship – the Year 9 Lucindale Area School student grateful for the extra support.

The Harding Miller Education Foundation provides high achieving young Australian women experiencing hardship with tools, resources, and support to help them reach their full potential and build pathways to tertiary education and fulfilling careers and Lacey ahs secured one of the four year academic scholarships.

“It means a lot to me as it is going to assist me in reaching my full potential for high school and university,” Lacey said.

“My goal is to make it out into the agricultural business.

“I would mainly like to focus on the cattle side of things as I have grown up and loved cattle. I would like to work at a cattle station and do what I love while meeting new people. I would also love to teach and inspire the next generation of agricultural women.”

The scholarships are awarded to students at the start of Year 9, and, at the end of Year 10, the recipients are invited to reapply for another two years of support.

The four years of scholarship support is valued at more than $20,000.

“I am deeply honoured and grateful to be considered for the Harding Miller Education Scholarship,” Lacey said. “This opportunity will not only assist me in achieving my educational aspirations but also reinforce my belief in the power of community support.

“I believe that education empowers individuals to achieve their dreams and uplift their communities. This scholarship will acknowledge the hard work I’ve put into my studies and personal development.”

Each scholarship recipient receives a new laptop, high-speed internet, face-to-face and online tutoring, online homework assistance, prepaid expense cards to cover school essentials such as textbooks and excursions, as well as study skills resources and a personal coach to guide them over the four years of the scholarship.

Harding Miller Education Foundation chief operations officer Caroline Hill said the foundation was proud to be providing vital support to help promising young girls reach their full potential.

“We are so pleased to announce Lacey as one of the scholarship recipients for 2024,” she said. “The foundation’s vital support for high-potential young girls experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage has become even more critical as our country faces increased pressures with higher costs of living.

“Our scholarship recipients are bright, talented, and engaged but don’t currently have the resources they need to make the most of their educational opportunities. The scholarship provides them with tangible items and practical things that give these young women a hand to complete their high-school education and take advantage of tertiary opportunities.

“Our scholarships offer more than just a financial boost. Our scholars are also paired with a volunteer coach who provides them with mentorship throughout the year. This support can often be the difference between continuing education or dropping out for an uncertain future.

“We encourage any other local young girls who may need support to consider applying for a Harding Miller Education Foundation scholarship this year.”

Since its launch in 2015, Harding Miller has supported more than 1200 scholarship recipients in 350-plus public Australian high schools.

Applications for scholarships for 2025 will open from July 15 to September 18 this year.

To find out more information, get involved, or support the Harding Miller Education Foundation, please visit http://www.hardingmillereducationfoundation.org.au

About the Harding Miller Education Foundation

Kim Harding and Irene Miller have been long-term champions of the education of young Australian women and of public education and established the Harding Miller Education Foundation in 2015. Harding Miller is a registered charity in Australia, recognised as a Public Benevolent Institution advancing the cause of education.

They give their scholars the tools, resources, experiences, and support they need to learn on a level playing field with their more financially advantaged peers. All donations are tax-deductible with 100% of funds donated going directly to scholarship recipients.