As students return to school, some families in Melbourne’s west are struggling to afford textbooks and essential school supplies.
A Greater Western Water (GWW) partnership with not-for-profit Western Chances aims to bridge the financial gap by providing scholarships that help young locals overcome barriers to education.
Western Chances supports young students in Melbourne’s west – many of whom have come from migrant backgrounds and can face barriers to accessing education and employment opportunities – through scholarships, internships and events.
The annual scholarships have gone towards vital resources students need to get through university such as textbooks, laptops, internet costs, lab coats and Myki travel cards for adult students.
Western suburbs resident Wasi Abidi first received a Western Chances scholarship in 2018 when he was in year eight.
“Very quickly I realised I was at a pretty severe disadvantage to all my other peers because they had a textbook and didn’t,” he said.
One of his teachers at the time saw potential in Mr Abidi and suggested he apply for the scholarship.
His Western Chances scholarship was renewed each year until he completed his science degree at university last year.
“As soon as I got a textbook my grades did so much better. I was able to study at home and go above and beyond,” Mr Abidi said.
“It really is those small changes that I can lean on that made me who I am today.”
In May 2024, GWW announced it was providing Western Chances $75,000 over three years as part of its Thriving Communities sponsorship program.
Since the partnership began 44 students have been supported with scholarship grants of between $650 to $1000 a student.
Mr Abidi said he’s also benefitted from the internship program offered by Western Chances, gaining work experience at Yarra Trams and Melbourne Airport.
“That was so instrumental. It was an opportunity to work in the industry,” he said.
He said he got into the tech industry because of Western Chances.
“What you find through Western Chances is you get mentorship. More often than not you find people that believe in you. It feels impossible to fail when you have that much support.”
