Three students share new Wannon Water scholarships

Three Deakin University marine biology students will receive a boost to their studies after sharing a new scholarship from Wannon Water.

First year student Daniel Kucinic, second year student Madi O’Brien and PhD student Jess Conlan will receive a combined $7000 as part of the new scholarship program.

All students are based at the Warrnambool campus in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences.

Wannon Water General Manager Community and Corporate Services Kellie King said the scholarship was an excellent example of Wannon Water’s corporate vision of going “beyond water for stronger communities”.

“As a regional urban water corporation, we are proud of our strong business foundations, providing secure, safe and affordable water and sewerage services that are highly valued by our customers,” Ms King said.

“However we also see that we have a responsibility to strategically partner with other organisations and contribute to the wellbeing and prosperity of our region as a whole.

“Access to quality education options and training for people in our region, including high levels of educational attainment, is essential to delivering a skilled workforce and boosting regional prosperity. This is not only in our region’s interest, but also in Wannon Water’s interest.”

“We have a number of graduates from Deakin’s marine biology course who are working with us and are valuable members of our team,” Ms King said.

Deakin University Warrnambool Campus Manager of Community Engagement Geraldine Moloney said the students had been selected for their outstanding level of enthusiasm and commitment to study in the aquatic sciences discipline.

Ms Moloney said scholarships were playing an important role in the lives of students and for the future of the Campus.

“The support from Wannon Water is another example of a local organisation understanding the benefits that Deakin’s students bring to Warrnambool and the broader region,” she said.

“Scholarships are a great incentive to attract more students to Deakin Warrnambool and this new program recognises the close connection we have with local industry.”