Southern Ports CEO Keith Wilks, inaugural scholarship recipient Lahni Davis, former Southern Ports CEO Steve Lewis and Curtin University’s John Fitzgerald. Photo: Supplied.
Students who need to move to Perth or Kalgoorlie to start Curtin University studies are invited to apply for a Southern Ports scholarship.
Applications for the Steve Lewis Regional Scholarship opened on Wednesday.
They are for undergraduate students moving from the Great Southern, South West or Goldfields-Esperance regions to study in the faculties of Science and Engineering or Business and Law.
Southern Ports Chief Executive Officer Keith Wilks said the scholarship was already making a significant impact for the inaugural 2024 scholarship recipient, and he was looking forward to seeing it expand further in 2025.
“We had an overwhelming response from high-quality applicants last year and ultimately awarded aspiring marine scientist Lahni Davis with the scholarship,” Mr Wilks said.
“Lahni is now gaining hands-on experience with our Environmental teams.”
“We have exceptional talent based in our regions, but we know there are extra costs associated with living regionally, and this scholarship aims to help with that.”
The scholarship is named after former Southern Ports chief executive Steve Lewis.
CBH supports the recipient for up to four years of full-time study with a stipend of $14,000 per semester, or a total of $112,000 overall, and is also guaranteed paid vacation work and mentoring with Southern Ports.
Inaugural Steve Lewis Regional Scholarship recipient Lahni Davis has completed the first year of her Bachelor of Advanced Science course in 2024.
In November she started working at the Port of Albany on a project mapping sea grass distribution in Princess Royal Harbour.
“The financial support during my first year has been amazing and it has really made my transition from growing up regionally to studying in Perth much smoother,” Ms Davis said.
“To have been able to come home for the summer knowing there is a job here in an area I’m interested in is also really helping set me up for the future.
“Southern Ports’ support means that at the end of my degree I’m going to be much better placed to pursue a career in my chosen field.”
Applications are accepted until Wednesday, March 5, at curtin.edu/steve-lewis .
