Jacqueline Garrigan, a Tully resident has transformed her career goals with the support of a CQUniCares Queensland Country Bank Scholarship in her Bachelor of Science (Psychology) studies.   

Funded each year by Queensland Country, the scholarship provides up to $10,000 for an ambitious student facing financial challenges to complete their higher education at CQUniversity.

After struggling to juggle her work life and studies, Jacqueline didn’t have much of a choice but to resign from her job as a manager of a branch in employment services to salvage her grades.

“My grades slipped a bit, so I decided to quit my job and focus full-time on university and to become a qualified Psychologist - you need to complete an Honours year, in which you can only gain entry into with a high GPA.” 

“So, this scholarship has paid for things like books, software programs, and general living expenses for my last semester.”

“I’m beyond grateful as I’m doubtful I would have made honours without Queensland Country Bank’s support.”

Jacqueline expressed how the scholarship had changed the direction of her studies and her career goals.

“I have a background as a high school teacher and during my time teaching, I realised there were a substantial number of students with behavioural or learning difficulties who were being left to fall through the cracks due to the lack of support and resources out there for teachers,” she said.

“The amount I saw this issue time and time again was that massive, that I quit my job to study Psychology full-time so I can help fix this problem within our education system and give these kids the support they need.”

It’s Jacqueline’s vision to return to the Education sector so she can begin to run programs that support kids with behavioural and/or learning difficulties.

“I would love to create a learning program for a range of learning difficulties that give teachers ideas and learning strategies to best help these children,” she said.

Jacqueline has dreamed of running workshops and working one-on-one with teachers and their students who suffer from behavioural or learning difficulties to create a supportive framework for themselves, their students and wider communities.

Queensland Country CEO Aaron Newman said his team was proud to invest in the next generation innovators and change makers.

“Jacqueline is an outstanding example of someone who is studying to build a career that will make a genuine difference to others lives,” he said.

Aaron said the scholarship was just one of many initiatives in Queensland Country’s community engagement program.

“Giving back is all part of our difference as a Member owned banking organisation.”

“Without shareholders, we can invest our profits into local areas while providing the best possible products and services to our Members.”

We’re extremely proud to have the opportunity to support individuals like Jacqueline who are passionate and ambitious about bettering the lives and communities around them.

Find out more about our other community involvement activities.