Where are our alumni now?
Our Western Chances recipients are reaching towards their big dreams and ready to make their mark on the world.
We contacted some of our alumni to see how they’re doing and chatted about what their Western Chances scholarships meant to them… Take a look!
Pamela Nguyen:
Pamela has been working since she was 16 and is now in her dream profession, working as a paediatric and clinical audiologist. She will always appreciate the help her Western Chances scholarship provided.
“Having Western Chances scholarships lessened my financial burden – for instance not having to worry about the costs of my yearly train tickets and textbooks.”
Pamela’s energy is impressive, and she still has plenty of career goals to tick off her list:
“I am thinking of doing my PhD some time and maybe become a lecturer. I may also open my own clinic, though there’s still a lot to learn clinically before I’m ready to do that.”
Even though Pamela has achieved the goal she had when she was a scholarship recipient, there’s still a lot more she has to offer.
“I want to travel the world and experience different cultures, open an animal shelter, give back to the community and make a difference in the lives of others.”
Gemma Bifano:
Gemma is one of our scholarship record holders – having received 13 scholarships throughout her studies. After plenty of hard work and dedication, Gemma graduated with a Master of Dietetics from Swinburne University of Technology this year.
“The scholarships allowed me to purchase all of the required textbooks, equipment and computer software to complete my studies without financial stress.”
She also shares an exceptional talent for calisthenics, and has now represented Victoria on two occasions — as a team leader and soloist.
Having the support of Western Chances made Gemma appreciate how individually tailored the scholarships are and the opportunity and joy they can provide. Gemma has plenty of big dreams and hopes to work as a dietitian in the community or in the food industry.
“I’d love to help the general public learn more about good health and nutrition, and to prevent chronic disease. Possibly have my own private practice further down the track!”
Didem:
When Didem was a high school scholarship recipient, she aspired to attend NIDA and go on to work in the arts. She received enthusiastic support from inaugural CEO Helen Worladge and realised Western Chances’ support took many forms.
For the past eight years she has worked as a playwright, theatre maker and arts leader.
“I have been incredibly fortunate to have my plays produced in Australia at local companies such as La Mama, 45 Downstairs, the Arts Centre and Arts House. I’ve also received funding to travel overseas and participate in writers’ festivals, such as the Istanbul Writers Festival, Bali Writers Festival, the New York Theatre Workshop, Playwrights Horizons, The Traverse Theatre Company and The Royal Court Theatre Company.”
Always working on a new project, Didem is currently developing a screenplay ‘Behind the Skin and Muscles’, based on the incredible true story of Australian woman Rima Tawil who lived in witness protection for 22 years. The screenplay was developed in 2019 with Writers Victoria and Didem is currently in talks with Princess Pictures.
In 2020 Didem began her PhD at RMIT University. She is the most recent recipient of The Global Voices Scholarship and will be representing RMIT at the 2021 United Nations Commission in New York City. Her policy paper will focus on improving gender equality and safety; specifically, within Indigenous and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities.
She hopes she can continue learning and wants to inspire others:
“My big dream is to be a leader in the arts, working in the creative industries and politics, and to continue to work with others to ensure Australian voices and stories can flourish.”