The Awards are designed to help students from disadvantaged areas to achieve their education goals and are presented to Year 11 students who would have otherwise faced great difficulty in meeting the costs associated with tertiary study.

This year’s Award winners include Anastasia Meikhail (St George Girls High School, NSW), Rebecca Boers (Ballarat Gammar, VIC), Aime Shimirwa (Wagga Wagga High School, ACT), Deanna Juttner (Elanora State High School, QLD) and Mohamed Beyan (Safety Bay Senior High School/Challenger Institute of Technology, WA).

Each student receives $9000, spread out over Year 12 and their first two years of tertiary studies. Award winners are also offered ongoing support and guidance from a KWM mentor.

O’Malley said: “We are delighted to support these students by providing mentoring and financial support to pursue their tertiary goals and ambitions. 

“The Mallesons Aspire Award is an important part of our community program and enables us to make a difference to the lives of truly deserving young people.”

The Smith Family’s CEO, Dr Lisa O’Brien, echoed his comments, stating, “The added financial assistance provided by the scholarship will help go towards textbooks and other academic costs, easing the financial strain so they can concentrate on getting the most out of their studies."