Bunbury student a deserving Youth Support Project bursary recipient

The Province 20 Youth Support Project has awarded a $2,000 bursary to a Bunbury girl, Claire Smith, now studying for a Bachelor of Biomedicine at the University of Western Australia and a resident of St Thomas More College in Crawley.

Claire completed her secondary education at Our Lady of Mercy College in Australind, near Bunbury, graduating in 2024 with an ATAR score of 96.05. She won the Marion Award for the highest ATAR score at the College, where she was Head Girl in her final year. Her chosen course of study at the University of Western Australia will assure her pathway to a career in medicine.

The Principal and Year 12 Head of Our Lady of Mercy College wrote in a reference that “Clair has been a highly valued member of the Year 12 Class of 2024 acclaimed as a meticulous independent person who is friendly and considerate of those around her. Academically, she has proven herself to be an outstanding student, recognised for her attentive hardworking attitude and conscientious approach to her studies. Her mature and responsible nature, along with her willingness to be of service to the College community, culminated in her election as College Captain in 2024 and she set the tone for the entire College through her high standards.”

At a community level in 2022 and early 2023 Claire was a part of The Smith Family “Buddy Reading Programme” which was a student-to-student peer support programme where she was matched with disadvantaged primary school students to improve their reading skills. The Programme consisted of weekly phone calls where her student buddy would select a book from an online library at their personal literacy level and improve and develop their skills.

In 2021 Claire also participated in a community tree planting project at the local degraded sand dunes at local beaches in her hometown of Bunbury.

A very special community activity occurred when she was honoured to represent Our Lady of Mercy College at the Anzac Day dawn service in Bunbury in 2024, marching with her fellow College captain and four other students placing wreaths for fallen soldiers.

Claire chose to reside at St Thomas More because of the College’s strong community spirit. “I hope to make a meaningful impact at the College by fully immersing myself in the established community,” she writes.

“My goal is to be a friendly and approachable face in the crowd; to be someone my peers can confidently turn to for support at St Thomas More College.”

Since its inception, the Province 20 Catenian Youth Support Project has supported students residing at St Thomas More College in Crawley with scholarships and bursaries awarded to eligible Catholic students, usually from country regions in Western Australia, to help them with their residential fees and University education expenses.

Claire is a worthy recipient with her willingness to be of service to the College community and her excellent work ethic.

Peter Johnston