Local girl awarded rural scholarship

Alexandra Kelly has been awarded an esteemed bursary to study a Bachelor of Business at The University of the Sunshine Coast.

STUDY BOOST: South Burnett's Alexandra Kelly has been awarded an esteemed bursary to study a Bachelor of Business at The University of the Sunshine Coast.

SOUTH Burnett's Alexandra Kelly has been awarded an esteemed bursary to study a Bachelor of Business at The University of the Sunshine Coast (USC).

Ms Kelly is the daughter of South Burnett graziers and grew up in Tablelands (just outside of Murgon).

She graduated from Kingaroy's St Mary's Catholic College with an OP6 in 2018.

Ms Kelly is one of only two undergraduate first-year USC students this year to be awarded the Tim Fairfax Regional Scholarship, worth up to $20,000 towards an undergraduate degree.

The Fairfax family spent 20 years on a cattle property in rural Queensland and established the scholarship to support students from regional areas who leave home to attend university.

The 18-year-old is going to be focusing on tourism, leisure, and events management through her business degree at USC.

Ms Kelly said her family cried when they received the news of the scholarship.

"They were just so proud and so excited," she said.

"Being offered a place at USC to study my first preference was a big accomplishment for me. But, getting the Tim Fairfax scholarship was really something very special for us all.

"I'd love to become an event manager specifically for business and corporate events and I feel that this degree offers me the very best of both worlds."

Ms Kelly said she was happy with her choice to study business at USC.

"I'm a very organised person and I love working in challenging environments, so I'm confident I've chosen the right career path," she said.

"One of the reasons I chose USC to study at is the opportunities the location will make possible. The Sunshine Coast is a tourism and events destination, so I hope to be able to do work experience while I'm studying to keep me on my toes."