DONALD MERRITT MEMORIAL VETERINARY SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship is offered by Cosca One Foundation Ltd, a charity dedicated to helping youth achieve their full potential. Donald Merritt (Don) embodies the Cosca One values and is a leading example of how someone can make a difference to the rural and remote communities in which they live.
Don was born in Rockhampton and left school after scholarship (grade 8) to work in a stock and station business. He worked around central Queensland, (Rockhampton then Clermont, Alpha, and Monto) until 1970 when he was retrenched in the beef slump. That saw him take up employment Qld Alumina in Gladstone until his retirement.
Don immersed himself in the communities he lived in. He gave back to them tremendously as a member of the Lodge, serving on the local P & C, rodeo and junior football committees. He spent countless hours ferrying children hundreds of kilometres (including his own four children) to sports and recreation days throughout central Queensland.
Don was also a founding member of the Gladstone Leagues Club and an early member of the Stockman’s Hall of Fame. In his later years he was a regular volunteer meals on wheels deliverer (even when he was 79 and older than most of his customers).
Despite limited formal education Don read extensively and remained an avid learner for his whole life. This memorial scholarship acknowledges and pays tribute to the memory of Donald Merritt through the generous support of his son, Ian.
The Scholarship
Cosca One is offering a scholarship of $3,000 to assist a second year veterinary student in completing their studies. Apart from financial assistance, the successful applicant will also be offered mentoring from experienced veterinary surgeons.
Applications
Applications will only be considered from students who have successfully completed their first year of an approved veterinary science degree, and who have enrolled in their second year.
The application process may vary, but at this stage involves:
1. Submission of a 200 word summary of what the scholarship would mean to you. In your application you should address your rural and remote community background, academic results, financial need, commitment to veterinary science, and how rural and regional vets can provide leadership in their community.
2. Those selected from their submissions will then be invited to an interview. The interview panel will be made up of experienced vets and industry participants and will focus on your commitment to the veterinary sciences and community. Candidates will then be shortlisted.
3. The final stage of the application process will be a function where all candidates attend and meet informally with their peers and members of the selection panel. This is intended to be held in Townsville.
4. The successful candidate(s) will then be announced.
Applications Close
Applications should be submitted to foundation@cosca.com.au no later than 5pm, 31 January, 2024. Questions should be directed to the same email address with the subject line – DON MERRITT SCHOLARSHIP – FURTHER INFORMATION.
Photo by Ayla Verschueren on Unsplash
Contact Us
