The Pinnacle Foundation

Our Scholars

2013 Scholarship Recipients:

Nicholas Tarpey
20 from New South Wales, Bachelor of Dental Science at Charles Sturt University

“ I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the Pinnacle Foundation’s support both financially and through the provision of a Mentor. Insecurities I had felt regarding the future of my studies, and my professional career, have been lifted. I am left with a confidence and surety that I will not only be able to complete my studies as planned but excel in them. I have been given a chance to make a difference not only to my own life but the lives of those around me and for this I am both grateful and proud to be a Pinnacle Scholar.”

Lauren Sanford
20 from Melbourne, Bachelor of Arts at Monash University

“ I am amazed and honoured to have been awarded a 2013 Pinnacle scholarship. For me, this is a reminder of the importance of both hard work and community. It is a reward for the years I have precariously balanced study with difficult health and family situations, and an encouragement and source of support in continuing to do so. But it is also a moment to appreciate the strength and generosity of the queer community. Regardless of where my studies take me, I look forward to working within that community to enact positive change and support others, just as the Pinnacle Foundation and so many others have supported me.”

Ashton Brenton
19 from NSW, Bachelor of Ecology at University of New England

“ The support of the Pinnacle Foundation is a vital hand in the dark for me, as it is for many other students. It’s wonderful to know that there is an organisation looking out for people like me, and I am extremely grateful to have been chosen to be supported by them. Without their help, I would struggle to make it to university to study the course I have been looking forward to since early high school. Having the Pinnacle Foundation behind me this year will boost my confidence and resolve to achieve great things and give back to the community in the future.”

Cecilia Kavara-Verraro
23 from Melbourne, VIC, Bachelor of Fine Arts at RMIT University

“I am super honoured and excited to be awarded such an important scholarship. It is really going to help me excel and complete my studies. I think it is super important to support people who have barriers in accessing education and the stability and resources required to see that education through. The Pinnacle Foundation have identified the need for more support for LQBTIQ youth and education. Keep up the good work!”

Luke Jobson
21 from Melbourne, VIC, Bachelor of Social Sciences & Communications at Swinburne University

“To be considered for, and receive, such a prestigious honour ensures that I can look forward to a stress free start to achieving my University degrees. The sheer magnitude of generosity and kindness displayed and witnessed here is testament to the big hearts of all involved. This is truly and unequivocally one of the most defining moments of my life. Thank you for making my dream of achieving my degrees come true.”

Annelise Rashoo
17 from Victoria, VCE at Adult Education Centre

“Receiving this scholarship from The Pinnacle Foundation has not only taken the added pressure of financial stress out of my studies for 2013, but has also motivated me to do my absolute best to exceed what is expected of me. Without having to worry about being able to afford school fees and the other expenses that are necessary to complete my VCE, I can focus on my studies and pursuing my goals for the future! I can’t begin to express my appreciation for the immense opportunity that The Pinnacle Foundation has provided me with, but I will thank them for every piece of success I achieve in my career.”

Max Cooper
18 from Adelaide, SA, Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) at University of Adelaide

“I’m looking forward to the year ahead, and this is greatly enhanced by the opportunities that the Pinnacle Scholarship will offer me. The financial benefits will be enormously helpful, but even more than that I look forward to having the chance to work with an experienced mentor who will be an invaluable source of guidance and wisdom in an important year of my undergraduate study.”

Ben Nielson
20 from Adelaide, SA, Bachelor of Music & Bachelor of Media at Adelaide University

“It is humbling to be chosen by the Pinnacle Foundation as a 2013 scholar, and thus an ambassador for LGBTIQ youth. The Foundation’s assistance is a validation of my efforts, ambitions, and ultimately my worth as a member of the community. It is reassuring and empowering that the difficulties facing LGBTIQ youth are recognised and that a scholarship has been designed specifically for us. The Pinnacle Foundation has made a generous investment at a pivotal time in my course. The scholarship will alleviate the collective pressures of living and study expenses, allowing me to focus on my study and professional development. I look forward to collaborating with my mentor, as well as purchasing essential musical equipment.”

Daniela Barisic Sprem
17 from Sydney, NSW, Bachelor of Commerce/Arts at Macquarie University

“Being awarded this scholarship by the Pinnacle Foundation means I can relax and enjoy my first year of university. I feel very lucky to not only have part of my financial burden be taken care of but to receive support from a mentor. Having this assistance would make a big difference in any person’s life and I look forward to using this gift to guide me through this next challenging and exciting stage of my life.”

Tanisha Devene
16 from Townsville, QLD, Year 12 at Kirwan State High School

“I never thought that I could achieve anything on my own, especially being a young LGBT member in an unaccepting society, but now I feel I have security and guidance from the Pinnacle Foundation who have granted me a 2013 scholarship to help me achieve something great in life, to help people and to change the course of humanity. I am truly grateful to the Pinnacle Foundation for giving me the chance to achieve great things.”

Mat Russo
22 from Sydney, NSW, Bachelor of Education (Primary) at Australian Catholic University

“Receiving a scholarship from The Pinnacle Foundation has given me incredible confidence to achieve the academic and professional goals I have set for the final year of my Primary Education degree. Through the joint assistance of the Foundation and my Mentor Maurie, I believe 2012 will be a pivotal year for my development as a Teacher and will allow me to continue to be a role model and advocate for kids within and outside the LGBTIQ community.”

Kaitlyn Shepherd
17 from Melbourne, Intermediate VCAL & Automotive VETis at Havestor Technical College

“Being awarded this scholarship means more than words can express, the scholarship that The Pinnacle Foundation has given me will be helping me finish Year 12 and the second year in my automotive studies. This scholarship and mentoring is an honour and privilege to be awarded, and will be helping me tremendously with my ambition to becoming a fully qualified Diesel Mechanic which could lead to a career in the Australian Army which would be amazing!”

Logan Ward
19 from Perth, Bachelor of Psychology at Curtin University

“ I feel really honoured to receive this scholarship, it means a lot to me. The scholarship provided by Pinnacle has given me the opportunity and support to continue studying full time and build relationships with my LGBTIQA peers.”

 

We are also proud to support our Returning Scholars for 2013; Ashleigh Scriven, Audrey Cremer, Brodie McGee, Laura Partington, Lee Taube, Nathan Li, Suzie Day & Veronica Mason

 

2012 Scholarship Recipients:

Ashleigh Scriven
21, from Newcastle, NSW, Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science – Diagnostic Radiography

“Having a driving force such as the Pinnacle Foundation behind you is an unparalleled experience, one which embeds within you a determination to change the world. The support and encouragement that the Foundation seemingly inexhaustibly grants you, in conjunction with the sense of self worth it reinstates within you, affords young LGBTI people such as myself the means to embrace their future and become someone of value.”

Audrey Cremer
17, from Sydney, NSW, Bachelor of Combined Law at the University of Sydney

“I am honoured to be included as a Pinnacle Foundation Scholar in 2012, as this support will undoubtedly aid my navigation of what I anticipate to be a precarious year. A reminder that my ambitions are attainable, I believe the effects of this scholarship will also reverberate within the LGBTQ community through the assertion of my aspirations.”

 

Nathan Li
20, from Sydney, NSW, Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney

“Being a Pinnacle Scholar means that someone recognises not just the hard work that I have already put into myself and my community, but rather has the foresight and faith in me to see all the good work I could do in the future.”

Steven Walker
23, from Sydney, NSW, Bachelor of Social Sciences at the University of New South Wales

“I am truly grateful to The Pinnacle Foundation for providing me with a mentor as part of my scholarship. It means I can pick the brains of someone with experience in the areas of study I will be focusing on. There is also the bonus of being able to concentrate entirely on my education without the added stress of sourcing funds for text books, laptops etc.”

 

Lindsay Stewart
18, from Geelong, VIC, Studying Victorian Certificate of Education [Year 12]

“I am very grateful receiving The Pinnacle Foundation Scholarship as it will allow me to continue my education. I am honoured to be acknowledged for my abilities and raising awareness of disadvantaged transgender youths in regional areas. My family was very disadvantaged when I was growing up and they are very proud of me reaching year 12.”

 

Laura Partington
19, from Melbourne, VIC, Certificate IV in Youth Work at TAFE

“The Pinnacle Scholarship means a great deal to me. If it weren’t for this scholarship I would not be continuing my education this year due to certain circumstances, and I would most likely be working at the pub full time. It has given me the opportunity to do what I always wanted to do and love, and for that I am more than grateful. In return I will be supporting others soon including the GLBTQ community as a Youth Worker.”

 Harriet Horsfall
19, from Hamilton, QLD, Bachelor of Law & Criminology at Queensland University

“This scholarship marks a watershed for my development as a young scholar. I am exceedingly grateful for the support of the Pinnacle Foundation, which will allow me to remain steadfast in my commitment to academic excellence and social change. There are so many negative connotations around being young and identifying as GLBTIQ, and it is beyond exciting to know that with the honour of this scholarship comes the opportunity to act as a role model for change.”

Lee Taube
21, from Melbourne, Vic, Psychology at Swinburne University

“Being awarded this scholarship made me feel worthy and validated not only my career goals but also me as a person. This scholarship means that I won’t be stressed about the financial costs of my education, which I feel relived about. I am even more excited about the mentoring program as I feel supported in growing into a successful mental health professional.”

Lucy Bonanno
18, from Sydney, NSW, Bachelor of Med Science

“This scholarship not only provides me with financial aid but also the means, in the form of a mentor, to properly motivate and help me achieve my absolute academic best, as well as allowing me to become more involved and active in LGBTIQ events and organisations. I’m truly one of the lucky few to embrace such a thorough and practical scholarship”

 

Jack Metcalfe
21, from Perth, WA, Bachelor of Science at the University of Western Australia

“Receiving the Pinnacle Scholarship has been a wonderful surprise, knowing that this year I will have some assistance to further my studies in my Sports Science degree. My history within the Queer community has led me to realise that within the Health and Fitness industry, there is a distinct lack of knowledge and research specific to the Trans* community. It is difficult to find comprehensive resources about the effects of hormones on exercise and how best to shape the body to match the identity. With the Pinnacle Scholarship to ease the way, I hope to become well informed enough to better serve the needs of the Queer and Sexually Gender Diverse community. I hope to do so by providing knowledge, workshops, a safe place of understanding, and assistance with training specific to the needs of every unique individual within such a beautifully diverse community as ours.”

Brodie McGee
23, from Adelaide, SA, Bachelor of Education at Flinders University

“The Pinnacle Scholarship means I can make focus more on my studies, and will be able to improve what I get out of Uni. Partnering with a mentor who is able to provide advice and guidance provides something that a normal uni degree doesn’t, it’s invaluable.”

 

We are also proud to support our Returning Scholars for 2012; Isobel Connell Suzie Day & Veronica Mason

2011 Scholarship Recipients:

Michelle Slattery
23, from Melbourne, VIC, studying Social Science at Swinburne University of Technology

“When you apply for something like this you always hope you’ll get it but when you do it’s like time stands still and you ask yourself did this just happen? This award is an amazing opportunity for me to build professional relationships with my peers so that one day I will be able to give other GLBTI youths the same opportunity. I am excited and honoured.”

 

Jake Quilligan
20, from Melbourne, VIC, studying Nursing and Paramedics at Monash University

“Being awarded something is always a great feeling, however, being recognised by The Pinnacle Foundation is a different feeling entirely. It’s amazing! I feel valued, and their support will help me achieve my dream of becoming a health professional. I’m really thankful.”

 

Jayke Clayden
20, from Melbourne, VIC, studying International Studies at RMIT University

“I feel very privileged to be awarded this scholarship. I know that the support that I’m going to receive from Pinnacle and my mentor will help me achieve my goals and dreams in the future. Being apart of a mentoring program such as this is an invaluable experience and I intend to make the most of it.”

 

Isobel Connell
20, from Newcastle, NSW, studying Psychology & Teaching at Macquarie University

“The scholarship makes my life a lot easier. Without Pinnacle I’d have real difficulty affording (both financially and psychologically) to be able to study full time and create the life I want.”

 

 

 

Harriet Harding
22, from Sydney, NSW, studying Music Composition at Sydney Conservatorium of Music

“I’m very honoured to be awarded one of this year’s Pinnacle scholarships. As a young gay person who lives ‘out’ in society every day, I am excited to continue my involvement with the broader community. With the help of this scholarship I hope to help change the way our society sees gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans people, reaching people through music and encouraging them to engage creatively and compassionately with the world around them.”

Veronica Mason
22, from Sydney, NSW, studying Arts/Law at University of New South Wales 

“It is with this profound respect for not only education but also the enhancement of identity, culture, knowledge and lifestyle that I am honoured to be a Pinnacle Foundation Scholar. Being the recipient of such a remarkable scholarship will not only allow me to pursue my dreams, by providing the necessary materials to succeed, but also act as an ambassador. It is my hope that I can change the world, and with this scholarship, that has become a possibility.”

Neville Fields
23, from Adelaide, SA, studying Medicine at Flinders University

“I feel very honoured and proud to be a 2011 recipient of this scholarship and I look forward to the day I graduate and start working in the field so that I too can involve myself in the foundation and give back maybe just some of what has been offered to me when I need it most.”

 

Suzie Day
From Perth, WA, pursuing a BA in Library and Information Management at Curtin University

“I am honoured that The Pinnacle Foundation believes in me so much, that they think I am worthy something like this”. One of my referees was one of my lecturers, and when I told her that I had got the scholarship, she replied it was because that they knew that I would one day give it all back to the community. I have never been so flattered or humbled in my life.”

2010 Scholarship Recipients:

Troy Hewitt
23 from Sydney, Final Year of Masters of Geology, Macquarie University

“ Without a doubt the Foundation and my mentor have made a huge difference in my life, both personally and during my education…The mentorship and financial support has allowed me to for fill both my personal and academic aspirations, which I have previously though to be out of my reach…”

 

 

Simon Byrne
16, from Sydney, NSW, Literacy Skills Development

“Although I struggled in the first 6 months I stuck with it .But later I saw how fruitful it was because of the work I did in the fist 6 months with Lindamood-Bell. I believe that my mentor and the scholarship help me considerably by assuring me I had the skills to make my Year 11 possible.”