Maryborough’s Kristie Loweke chasing USC teaching dream

After a family tragedy and financial struggles a mum of four was ready to put her teaching dream on hold, but a new opportunity changed everything.

On the day Kristie Loweke had decided to withdraw from her studies, she found out she had been awarded a University of the Sunshine Coast scholarship.

After a tragic loss in her family and suffering financial hardship, a Maryborough mum of four felt she had no choice but to put her dream of becoming a teacher on hold.

But on the day Kristie Loweke had decided to withdraw from her studies, she found out she had been awarded a University of the Sunshine Coast scholarship.

“The timing was incredible and so is the difference it is making,” she said.

“I was so happy that someone chose me out of so many worthy recipients and thought that I have got what it takes and deserve this,” she said.

“I have been dealing with the loss of my mother, who was also one of my greatest supporters when it came to making my university dream a reality, and who helped my husband look after our children, who have special needs.

“My husband is also a lower leg amputee and is not working at the moment.

“At the start of this semester, we were struggling to cope financially and find childcare so I could keep on studying.

“I was absolutely blown away to get the email the very day I was ready to withdraw, saying I had been awarded a Thompson Study Support scholarship.”

She said the opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Primary Education at the Fraser Coast campus at times seemed out of reach.

“I had been out of school for more than 20 years and had just ticked over 12 years in working in retail when I got to the point where it wasn’t enough for me,” Kristie said.

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“I needed something more, and I’d always wanted to do teaching, but I had my family and I thought, there is no way.”

Valued at up to $14,000, the scholarship is awarded to students who have commitments such as work, placement or significant carers responsibilities that impact on study.

UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett says Kristie’s story is a familiar one across the university’s campus network, with financial hardship one of the reasons why many students put off applying or decide not to continue with their degrees.

This year alone, more than $4.3m in scholarships, bursaries and prizes were awarded to 1500 University of the Sunshine Coast students.

More than 90 per cent have some form of equity hardship element as part of the selection criteria.

“These scholarships, bursaries and prizes are all about creating opportunities for people to access higher education and to help them succeed at university,” Professor Bartlett said.

“They can be that point of difference for students and potential students reaching their full potential.”

Several students were formally presented with scholarships, awards and bursaries at recent ceremonies at the Sunshine Coast and Fraser Coast campuses.

Kristie said her career charge was also inspired by her children.

“I am becoming a teacher because of my children. The disabilities and the challenges they face is my driving force,” she said.

“I want to get into the classroom to help fill that void that there is sometimes between lower-level learners and our mainstream children because the teachers don’t have enough time, they don’t have enough support.

“With my experience with my own children, coupled the skills and knowledge I will gain with my education degree, I really think I can make a difference.”