New Curtin University of Technology Indigenous scholar, Bonny Rawson, has elevated her interest in food to a new level by choosing to study food science and technology this year.
Miss Rawson, of Mosman Park, won Curtin’s Aileen Plant Memorial Scholarship which is intended for an Indigenous student with an interest in Indigenous public health issues in Australia.
The 17-year–old was thrilled to be awarded the scholarship and hopes to make a difference in the Indigenous community after she graduates.
“I’ve always had an interest in chemistry at school and studying food science was a way to combine this with my love of food,” Miss Rawson said.
“Having an adventurous palate, it will be really interesting for me to understand the science behind what I’ve been enjoying on my plate.
“Eventually I would love to be able to contribute to improving the health and nutrition standards in the Indigenous community or even help to create better foods for people on a global scale.”
Miss Rawson said she was looking forward to starting her studies at Curtin but was a little nervous as a new student.
“I’m really keen to get started with my studies but being at a new place is a little intimidating at first as I’m out of my comfort zone,” she said.
“However, when I came to Curtin’s Open Day last year I felt that the university had a good atmosphere so I am not that worried about making new friends and settling down.”
The Aileen Plant Memorial Scholarship honours the work of the late Aileen Plant in public health and Australian Indigenous health. It is one of the approximately 450 scholarships offered by Curtin in 2010.
It encourages and rewards young people who demonstrate academic and leadership potential.
The scholarship meets the cost of the student’s fees for each year of study and includes an additional $2,000 cash payment per year to assist with costs associated with studying like the purchase of textbooks and other incidental expenses.
