Deakin alumni Alistair and Leisa McCosh know how vital education is to changing people’s lives, and have decided to include a gift in their Will to the University’s Warrnambool Campus.
Alistair grew up in the region and completed his bachelor degree at the Warrnambool Institute, which then became Deakin University. Leisa completed her Bachelor of Education at Deakin in Warrnambool and works in the area as a primary school teacher. They are settled in the Warrnambool region, where they have raised their three children, Zac, Ellie and Jake.
'Leisa and I have decided to allocate a gift in our Will to the Warrnambool scholarship fund, as we both value and recognise the importance that an education can bring to an individual’s opportunities in life. We discussed it with our children and they fully support the decision. Deakin Warrnambool has been critical in providing opportunities to our family and we feel this is a way of recognising that,' says Alistair.
The Warrnambool scholarship fund was created four years ago with the support of the local community, industry and philanthropic partners. Since then it has given more than 120 undergraduate students the opportunity to study at Deakin’s Warrnambool Campus.
'As Director of the campus, I see the difference that scholarships can make to the lives of regional students. Many are the first in their family to attend university or come from disadvantaged communities. These young scholarship recipients are able to focus on their studies rather than having to hold down two jobs just to survive. The financial support is truly life-changing,' says Alistair.
These young scholarship recipients are able to focus on their studies rather than having to hold down two jobs just to survive. The financial support is truly life-changing.
Alistair McCosh
The long-term potential impact these gifts can have in a regional community like south-west Victoria is enormous.
Alistair explains that the Warrnambool Campus offers a broad cross-section of undergraduate programs that have real purpose in the region.
'The campus plays a huge role in workforce capability, workforce development and ensuring that there are graduates to fill these essential positions locally. If you walk into any primary school, accounting firm or hospital in our region you will undoubtedly meet a Deakin graduate.'
'It has been a tremendous asset to the community, giving many people the opportunity to gain a world class tertiary education and have a professional career without leaving their hometown,' says Alistair.
'With the increase in research being conducted at the Warrnambool Campus I would like to widen the scope of scholarships that we offer so that we can attract and support early career researchers to undertake research that will make a real difference to not only our local industries and our community but nationally and internationally,' says Alistair.
'Leisa and I understand that leaving a gift in our Wills like this requires trust that our wishes will be fulfilled. We are confident that Deakin Warrnambool Campus will continue to prosper and be a major asset to the region long into the future. We live in a beautiful part of Australia that is economically strong and if we work together, we can ensure that our campus becomes the number one regional campus in Australia and our graduates are the best in their chosen fields.'
Create your own Will
Should you choose to create your own Will, there are some easy and affordable options online. Deakin has recently partnered with Safewill to offer a special discount to our alumni and friends.