Support for top students

COMMUNITY Bank Mount Gambier & District have awarded three scholarships to local students as part of their 2026 scholarship program.

Mount Gambier High School student Annapurna Anbu and Tenison Woods College students Jolie Vaughan and Mason Bentley have been awarded this year’s School Leavers’ Scholarship.

The scholarships are awarded to a first-time tertiary student to supplement their study costs in their first year of higher education.

Annapurna, who completed Year 12 at Mount Gambier High School last year, topping the school with her ATAR, plans to use the local scholarship to undertake first-time tertiary study in a Bachelor of Medical Science and a Doctor of Medicine at the University of Tasmania.

Jolie, who completed Year 12 last year at Tenison Woods College and was dux, not just of her school but also the Limestone Coast region, will be studying a Bachelor of Speech Pathology at the Adelaide University, and Mason, who also graduated Year 12 at Tenison Woods College last year, will be moving to Adelaide to study a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) at Flinders University.

The students plan to use the $6000 funding to help cover the costs of expenses such as residential college accommodation, travel and textbooks.

Community Bank Mt Gambier & District branch manager Emma Horrigan said the three students were deserving recipients.

“All of the recipients have demonstrated a commitment to their studies,” Emma said.

“We were so happy to be able to award the scholarships to three individuals in 2026. This is another way that our Community Bank company commits to building stronger communities.

“We wish Annapurna, Jolie and Mason all the best of luck as they begin an exciting journey toward achieving their academic goals.”

The Community Bank Mt Gambier & District Bank Scholarship is part of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Scholarship Program, with more than 40 Community Bank branches and other partners taking part from across Australia.

For more information about the scholarship program, visit www.bendigobank.com.au/scholarships