Community & Business
3 March, 2026
Scholarship assists student
BRONTE Kochi was the lucky recipient of the latest round of the Fresh St Market IGA University Scholarship, which will support her with $10,000 during her studies.
The annual scholarship, sponsored by Atherton’s Fresh St Market IGA in partnership with the Atheron State High School P&C committee, provides a Year 12 student who is off to university with $10,000 over a three-year period.
The winners from the first five rounds are studying, or have studied, dentistry, midwifery, agribusiness, veterinary science, and pharmacy.
Bronte, the winner of the sixth round, has already begun university at James Cook University, Smithfield, where she is studying a Bachelor of Nursing.
She said the news came as a nice surprise after being so focused on getting into university.
“When I got the call from Matt from IGA, I was very shocked actually,” Bronte said.
“I was encouraged by my family members and my boss to apply, and even my friends at school were like ‘Go for it, just give it a shot’. So I thought there was no harm in applying for it.
“I hadn’t heard anything for a while, and honestly, I got accepted into uni and that was my main focus – it didn’t slip my mind, but it wasn’t my number one priority – and then I got the call and I was so grateful and definitely shocked to say the least.”
Bronte said the scholarship will be put towards buying equipment for her nursing course and assisting with university fees.
“Since going into nursing, there’s already been a lot of things that I have to purchase – whether it’s scrubs, stethoscopes, or a mobile blood pressure machine – those are probably the biggest purchases,” she said.
“And some will go towards my HECS (government loan for students). So, primarily just resources to help me practice and get through uni.”
Atherton High P&C treasurer Deana Nasser said it was amazing to see students receiving great opportunities such as this.
“It is extremely rewarding for all stakeholders involved in the IGA scholarship, and it gives students the opportunity to be assisted with their relocation or study expenses to undertake university,” she said.
“IGA is a great supporter of Atherton State High and we can’t thank them enough for giving our students the opportunity to apply and be awarded with such a significant scholarship.”
