THE Portland Women’s Service Club has awarded its tertiary education scholarships for 2022 to Erin Dixon and Brittany Jones, both of Portland.

The young women will each receive $3000 to assist with their transition to tertiary studies this year.

 President Lynda Davis said the club has been making a difference to the education of young local women since 1993, having now assisted 43 local girls and their families to undertake tertiary (or similar) education.

Ms Davis said along with all other clubs and community groups, fundraising had been a challenge due to COVID, so the club was very pleased to be able to offer and award two scholarships this year.

“We were fortunate to hold a couple of film fundraisers last year and were pleased to receive some very generous donations enabling us to continue our scholarship program for 2022,” she said.

Erin Dixon had recently completed her VCE at Portland Secondary College and had been accepted by RMIT to undertake a Bachelor of Biomedical Science with the hope of a long-term career in medical research.

She said the past two years of study, which included many months undertaken at home, had highlighted the importance of the scientific community to find solutions for the challenges the world faces.

Ms Dixon had been involved in community projects including as an ambassador for the youth mental health initiative Live4Life, the Run Melbourne Half Marathon fundraiser for the Stroke Foundation among other activities.

She was acknowledged as one of Portland Secondary Colleges High Achievers in Years 11 and 12 and always strived to take part in leadership positions and extracurricular activities including the Indonesian Speaking Competition, the Warrnambool College Model United Nations Conference and the World History Competition.

When Ms Dixon received the news she would gain a scholarship, she was overjoyed.

“I couldn’t say thank you enough over the phone,” she said.

“I told my sister straight away.”

Brittany Jones completed her VCE at Bayview College in 2020 and will be studying Social Work at La Trobe University.

Her aim is that through her studies she will be able to return to Portland and assist in creating a safer environment for vulnerable children and adults in the community.

Ms Jones had participated in several fundraisers including the 40-hour famine and the Gutsy challenge which raised money for gastrointestinal cancers.

Her awards and achievements include the Deakin University Award, the La Trobe University’s Aspire program in 2020 and the 2019 Future Leaders of Industry Program.

“When I received the news over the phone, I kept repeating thank you,” she said.

“I messaged my aunt who originally told me about it and thanked her as well.”

Both girls faced significant challenges along with their fellow students in having to complete their schooling and VCE during interruptions and school closures caused by COVID.

The two young women are looking forward to being presented with their scholarships at the club’s February meeting.

The club is planning to have the movie Downton Abbey 2 as a fundraiser later in March, which will have tickets advertised when available.