2020 Katrina Dawson Foundation Scholars

We are delighted to introduce two KDF scholars for 2020: Hannah Heading and Amy Cooper. Both are ‘freshers’ (first-year students) and we are very pleased to welcome them to the KDF family.

Hannah is undertaking an Arts (Advanced) degree, majoring in Politics and International Relations. She attended Loreto College in Adelaide, where she was Head Girl in 2019 and Performing Arts Captain in 2018. In 2017 Hannah represented her school at state level in rowing. Loreto’s Headmistress describes Hannah as “the most outstanding Head Girl that I have seen in my educational career.”

Hannah’s personal philosophy is that ‘by allowing your imagination to steer your learning, you develop a love of learning, and consequently your results reflect this passion.’

Amy completed her schooling at Palm Beach Currumbin State High School in 2018. Her time there is best summed up by her Deputy Principal there who described Amy as “an exceptional all-round student and … an outstanding citizen in both our school and wider community. [She] was first and foremost a wonderful leader and influence on the student and staff body at the school. As our school captain, dux of the school, Arts captain and Valedictorian, Amy is an inspiring and dedicated young woman who excelled across all areas of academia, community service, student leadership and dedication to the Arts.”

After a Gap Year in 2019, Amy started a Bachelor of Arts (Advanced Studies) this year to pursue her dual interests in humanities and science, with the ultimate aim of a teaching career so that she can “give to the next generation the love of learning and pursuit of excellence that I was given by my own incredible teachers.”

We do also have a third KDF Scholar, Rachel Trenaman, who did start at Women’s College this year, but because of study interruptions due to COVID-19 and her cricket commitments (she is Captain of the U-19 Australian Women’s team), she will not be at Women’s for the rest of this year – but we look forward to seeing Rachel back there in 2021.

All of our KDF girls are, like the rest of their university peers, currently learning online from home — but they are hoping to be back on campus in the next couple of months, and we aim to be able to resume mentoring activities shortly after that.