• Ms Jennifer Galloway sings in Thomas Bros Wagga Wagga Takes 2 for the Charles Sturt Regional Impact Scholarship Fund

Charles Sturt University’s Ms Jennifer Galloway is lending her voice to students who may not be able to find their own when it comes to asking for help.

The Charles Sturt Associate Director of Development and Alumni Relations in the Advancement Office is a contestant in the city’s Thomas Bros Wagga Wagga Takes 2 singing competition.

The annual competition sees a contestant paired with a professional singer to learn lyrics, melodies and dance moves to raise money for their chosen charity.

Ms Galloway is paired with singing partner Mr Charles Patterson (both pictured) and is aiming to raise much-needed funds for the Charles Sturt Regional Impact Scholarship Fund.

“The reason I am participating is because I believe so strongly in the difference Thomas Bros Wagga Wagga Takes 2 has made to our community,” she said.

“As a city girl who moved to the regions more than 10 years ago, I continue to be astonished by the strength and support of regional communities and how everyone comes together to help those in need.”

The Charles Sturt Foundation was established in 1982 and has since awarded more than $15 million worth of scholarships to more than 4,000 students.

The Regional Impact Scholarship Fund was established in 2020 as a way of furthering the University’s commitment to help students from its regions pursue higher education, while also helping its local communities fill skill shortages.

Full-time study per year, including accommodation, tuition, work placement, textbooks, food and residential school, can cost almost $30,000 per student.

The 2017 Universities Australia Student Finances Survey revealed that 13 per cent of regional students have to defer study while 22 per cent decrease their course load.

“While I am a little nervous about getting on stage in front of all those people in April, I am proud to be doing it on behalf of the University’s Regional Impact Scholarship Fund,” Ms Galloway said.

“I am really passionate about the future of Wagga Wagga and believe that we all need to do our part to build a stronger, more resilient community.

“My goal is not only to raise some much-needed funds, but to raise the profile and help people understand what we as a Foundation can do, with your help, to support students in our regions.”

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy student Miss Lauren McLennan said receiving financial assistance through a scholarship from Charles Sturt allowed her to purchase necessary items for study while enabling her to return to the family farm in Narrandera on weekends to assist during the drought.

“This scholarship has allowed me to further my studies by being able to purchase a new laptop and little things throughout the school year such as books and stationery,” she said.

“The scholarship has allowed me to have a normal university life, be involved in clubs and sporting teams that I most likely wouldn’t have been able to do prior to this.”

Ms Galloway has three fundraising events planned this year to raise money for the Regional Impact Scholarship Fund:

• Major Great Gatsby-theme fundraising Gala Auction Night at the Riverine Club on Friday 27 March
• A family movie event at the Wagga Forum Cinema on Saturday 28 March

The first event, a Mum’s Night Out with live music and silent auctions, was held at the William Farrer at the weekend, on Saturday 8 February.

Donations to Ms Galloway and the Regional Impact Scholarship Fund can be made via a dedicated GoFundMe page and tickets for the Mum’s Night Out can be purchased via the Eventbrite website.

Wagga Wagga Takes 2 will be held on Thursday 16, Friday 17 and Saturday 18 April at Kildare Catholic College.