Evie O’Farrell. Photo: Matt Jelonek
Camera IconEvie O’Farrell. Photo: Matt Jelonek Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Kelmscott: Young Australia League scholarship helps Evie chase her dreams

Jessica NicoComment News

EVIE O’Farrell is a young teenager with a lot of talent.

The 13-year-old is in not one but two specialist programs at Kelmscott Senior High School, excelling in both her music studies as a flautist and on the athletics track as a middle- and long-distance runner and triple jumper.

Like many other mothers, Karlee O’Farrell does whatever she can to make sure Evie is able to follow her dreams, but the pressure of paying for two specialist programs on a single parent income has seen them experience some financial pressures.

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This pressure is set to ease on the back of a helping hand from the Young Australia (YAL) League after Evie was named the recipient of the Dome Kelmscott and Armadale Lower Secondary Scholarship.

The scholarship of $2000 a year will help pay for Evie’s education and her participation in the two specialist programs.

“Receiving the YAL Scholarship makes me feel incredibly proud of myself and more confident in my abilities and it also takes financial pressure from my family, leaving me free to concentrate on my education,” Evie said.

“It is incredibly important for students and families to have access to scholarships like the YAL program and many families could benefit from the financial support and recognition of their abilities.”

Ms O’Farrell said she was incredibly proud of her daughter and all she had achieved, except perhaps when it came to her chores.

“Evie is a determined young girl who takes her education very seriously and has always been a quiet achiever,” she said.

“As Evie becomes more confident she has more belief in her own abilities and decision making, but I wish she put as much effort into keeping her room clean as she does her studies.”

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