Paramedic and adventurer Emma Williams left school at 15 to join the workforce, but despite career success, Emma felt driven by her grandparents’ incredible legacy to pursue higher education, their key to get out of working in slavery; now, she is doing all she can to ensure their sacrifices are honoured and their courage paid forward.
Dr Karina Hamilton-Peel says she can trace many of her successes over the last 15 years "to the generosity of the Renouf family", who awarded 17-year-old Karina a life-changing scholarship to help her pursue her uni dreams; she now generously contributes to UniSC giving days to support the next generation of students.
Heinke Butts, grew up in South Africa during Apartheid, and her experiences led her to become deeply interested in the issue of identity, which she's now exploring through her PhD – “The garment as a cultural identity and creative expression” – and a curated exhibition of South African garments displayed at the Gympie Regional Art Gallery until 25 November.
An international student who chose the University of the Sunshine Coast for its sustainability credentials has now been named an Australasian leader for her green endeavours.