From regional roots in Inverell to international scholar in Berlin, aspiring business student and LQBTQIA+ advocate among the many Pinnacle Foundation program beneficiaries.
The Pinnacle Foundation, an Australian LGBTQIA+ education charity, is celebrating a dual milestone this year. The foundation has reached a remarkable achievement, awarding over 100 scholarships to deserving and eligible queer youth pursuing fulltime education at TAFE or University, around Australia. Pinnacle has been instrumental in transforming the lives of its scholars by supporting their wellbeing, providing them a sense of community, and helping them realise their true potential. Alongside this milestone, Pinnacle is also celebrating its 15-year anniversary.
Since being founded in 2007, the foundation has made significant contributions in supporting education and fostering success among young LGBTQIA+ Australians, creating a more diverse and inclusive society.
Pinnacle’s CEO & MD, Andrew Staite, says,
“15 years ago, The Pinnacle Foundation embarked on a journey to transform lives with our educational scholarships and mentoring program, and provide a sense of belonging by creating a community and family for life. Over the years, with the help of our generous donors and partners, the Foundation has acted as a launchpad for many young Australians who have benefitted from the program. Today we celebrate the resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit of our scholarship recipients.”
“With scholarship applications open until 31 August, we’re looking forward to seeing the submissions of the next generation of young LGBTQIA+ Australians”, says Andrew.
The Pinnacle Foundation’s commitment extends beyond financial scholarships. Pinnacle carefully matches the young Australians it awards scholarships to with a mentor who identifies in the same way and who works in their field of study to provide career guidance and help them excel in their studies.
ACT Success Story
Vincent Ward is a second-year Pinnacle Scholar at the Australian National University (ANU), where he is pursuing a unique double degree in Environment and Sustainability, alongside Music (Violin Performance).
Vincent hails from Wiradjuri country in regional NSW and is currently studying on Ngunnawal and Ngambri land at ANU. His career ambitions are as diverse as his interests, aiming to excel as a concertmaster in a major orchestra while making significant contributions to sustainability. His academic focus lies in quantitative environmental modelling, a field he is passionate about expanding through his studies.
Reflecting on his decision to apply for a Pinnacle Foundation scholarship, Vincent shares, "The Pinnacle Foundation has provided me with invaluable support to pursue my passions in both music and environmental sustainability. This scholarship not only enables me to focus on my studies but also connects me with a supportive community of LGBTQIA+ role models who inspire me to advocate for our community."
Key Highlights:
- Music, sustainability, and LGBTQIA+ leadership: Vincent’s ambition to blend artistic excellence with a commitment to environmental stewardship, while representing the queer community.
- 15-Year Anniversary: Celebrating a decade and a half of transformative educational support.
- 100+ Scholarships: For the 2025 academic year, over 100 scholarships are available to deserving LGBTQIA+ youth across Australia.
- Applications Open: Scholarship applications are open from 1 July 2024 to 31 August 2024.
Since 2007, The Pinnacle Foundation has awarded scholarships to young Australians, fostering academic excellence and promoting inclusivity. Their mission goes beyond financial aid; they provide mentorship, community support, and a sense of belonging.
Scholarships
Some of the country’s largest organisations have named scholarships with The Pinnacle Foundation including L’Oreal, BHP, CBA, Mirvac, Rio Tinto and Virtus Health.
Among the many Pinnacle beneficiaries from the last 15 years is Max McFarlane (he/him) who, through his academic excellence, also received a Global Mobility scholarship to attend Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin in Germany last year where he studied the German language and a Politics Intensive. Max is mentored by Johnathan Hiley, Creative Partnerships Lead at Google in Sydney.
Max is currently using his Pinnacle Foundation scholarship to complete his Bachelor of Commerce and Advanced Studies at the University of Sydney. From regional roots of NSW’s Inverell, Max's journey as a gay man has been both challenging and empowering. His proudest achievements involve advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community through various platforms, including Youth Parliament, his role as a school captain, and notably, establishing the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Portfolios at the university.
Max McFarlane shares, "Being a Pinnacle Foundation scholar has given me a sense of belonging and made me feel like part of a supportive family. The encouragement and resources provided by the foundation have been invaluable in helping me pursue my goals and overcome challenges. It has also been instrumental in my academic and personal growth, allowing me to seize opportunities including upcoming internships at Nestlé and Ernst and Young.”
"My motivation to apply for the scholarship stemmed from a deep-seated desire to expand my advocacy efforts and academic pursuits, and my advice to anyone thinking about applying is to go ahead and do it," says Max.
Scholarship application details
The scholarship program, now in its fifteenth year, awards multi-year scholarships nationally to students aged between 18 – 26 years for fulltime study. Scholars can be pursuing a range of different course from either public TAFES or public Universities in Australia. Every Pinnacle scholar is also carefully matched with a mentor who will typically identify in the same way, and share the same academic and professional interests . The mentor acts as a role model.
Scholarship application submissions are open from Monday, 1 July 2024 and close on Saturday, 31 August 2024. Eligible LGBTQIA+ candidates can find further information and submit their applications online.
For more information about The Pinnacle Foundation's scholarship program and research see the kink below:
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