For many regional and rural students, the path beyond Year 12 isn’t always straightforward. The cost of relocating, limited access to local study options, and distance from family and support networks can all present significant barriers. Despite this, local young people continue to show incredible determination to pursue their goals. With the help of the Benalla community, path to achieving their dreams has become smoother.
Tomorrow Today offers scholarships to Year 12 students to who live and attend high school in Benalla and are continuing to further education or training. Eligible students can apply for one of four $2,000 scholarships. The many local people and businesses who donate to Tomorrow Today help to make these scholarships possible. A fifth scholarship, which is funded by the Friends of Benalla Performing Arts and Convention Centre (BPACC) donation, is offered specifically for a student who is pursuing further education in the performing arts field.
Recently we caught up with three of 2025’s Year 12 Scholarship recipients, to hear about their journeys since leaving school. All three are combining study with work and are giving back to the Benalla community in different ways.
Daniela Bakri attended Benalla P-12 College and Benalla Flexible Learning Centre. She is currently undertaking a traineeship at Benalla Library and completing Certificate III in Business. “I feel like I’m already in my dream job at the Library. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes, it’s really interesting! The scholarship has helped to pay for my Cert III course fees and I’m considering going to Swinburne University next year to do Information Technology.”
Former Benalla P-12 College school captain and dux, Amber Armstrong, is taking a gap year working as a care assistant at Benalla Health before beginning a Bachelor of Paramedicine at Monash University. She’ll use her scholarship funds to cover the many expenses her course will incur; “With paramedicine there is a lot of equipment that you need to buy. So the scholarship will go towards uniform fees and the fitness test that I’ll have to do for Ambulance Victoria.”
Like Amber, former FCJ College student Nikita Hanson is passionate about health care. She is undertaking a Bachelor of Nursing at La Trobe University in Albury while working at Benalla Bowling Club. With part of her course delivered online, a new laptop was a necessity; “I’m going to invest in getting a new laptop and I need other supplies as well. There is also a yearly fee I have to pay to the university. The travel costs getting to and from Albury are getting harder to afford too. The scholarship is helping me to cover those costs and I’m really grateful for it.”
All three students are excited about what the future holds; “I’m probably most excited to move away and study something that is so different to what you can do at school;” said Amber.
“I’m looking forward to having to do things for myself, like organising my own study and finding work and places to live – all those new things;” added Nikita.
They also shared their advice for students in senior school. “I was a VM (vocational major) student; which means I didn’t get an ATAR;” explained Daniela. “I had a difficult journey through school, but I was still accepted into university and I still got this scholarship, which I wasn’t expecting. My advice to other students is to just try, just literally keep going to school because it will all work out in the end and it’s worth it.”
Amber agrees; “It’s only like two years of your life. So just really focus and try and put in the steps so that you can get where you want to go. And even if you don’t get exactly what that you want, there’s so many ways of going into different courses. Sometimes that’s better for a lot of careers.”
“I’d say to them find something that interests you. I’m kind of where I want to be now. Just keep on going and trust yourself to make the right decisions;” said Nikita.
“The Year 12 Scholarship program is just part of how Tomorrow Today supports Benalla’s children and young people throughout their education;” said Tomorrow Today Executive Officer, Jen Jackson. “Seeing these three young women embracing their studies and stepping forward into the future is wonderful. They have all worked hard to get to this point and their perseverance is inspiring.
“I want to thank the Benalla community for stepping up as volunteers and donors too. It’s through their ongoing commitment that we can continue to offer these programs that help to build the future of Benalla.”
Current Year 12 students can apply for a Tomorrow Today scholarship through their school, information will be available in Term 3. Donations to Tomorrow Today to support the future of Benalla’s young people can be made online or by calling 5762 1211. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.