The announcement that smashed cups and expectations

Sponsored students

08 November 2023

For any student, getting into university is a huge achievement well worth celebrating. For Maggie, that moment of finding out that she was accepted into a double degree in law and international studies was one she will never forget. And when she told her Mum, she just about hit the floor. Her tea actually did.

“I said, ‘I got in’, and she dropped everything – she had a mug and it smashed, she was just so excited for me,” says Maggie.

Maggie’s family had extra cause to celebrate, having worked hard to overcome the educational inequality caused by poverty. Her Dad had a tough time finding work after immigrating to Australia and her Mum stayed home to care for her and her brothers. It was difficult to afford the costs of education.

“I think with everything we’ve been through – the financial difficulties – it was never really a certain option for me. I’m here, and I’m studying, and I love it so much. I know that my family are very happy for me,” says Maggie.

Being sponsored changed my life. I could fit in, keep up and even made it to university.

Maggie, Learning for Life student

I can confidently say if it wasn’t for the support I’ve been provided by The Smith Family, I definitely wouldn’t be at uni.

Maggie, Learning for Life student

Maggie was one of more than 1.2 million Australian children and young people growing up in disadvantage. Like every child she deserved to be able to create her own future. In Year 3 Maggie was connected with our Learning for Life program, and her world opened up.

With the financial support of sponsorship, Maggie could start attending the school in the area she’d just moved to, which required her to own a laptop. The program covered costs like uniforms and school supplies, which her family couldn't manage on their own.

As part of sponsorship, Maggie was also connected with a Learning for Life Coordinator who identified extra support to help the young student grow her confidence. Her world kept expanding as she realised her potential.

“Being sponsored changed my life. I could fit in, keep up and even made it to university,” she says.

Today Maggie’s still connected with The Smith Family through a tertiary sponsorship, which has helped to afford the expensive textbooks needed to participate in her double degree. It has also provided access to our Cadetship to Careers program, where Maggie’s accessed paid, flexible cadetships to boost her skills at work. This has landed Maggie in a legal department of a property company where she “got to get a kickstart in the corporate world”.

She’s since moved into a casual position where she’s getting great experience while earning money in an area she loves. Maggie’s got a rewarding career in her sights, but giving back is very important to her.

“Ultimately, I want to do something that I can use to help others,” she says. “I know I’ll probably end up doing some legal aid work pro bono, just so I can give back. Because of all the support I’ve been given in my life, all I want to do is to help other people in whatever way I can. I can confidently say if it wasn’t for the support I’ve been provided by The Smith Family, I definitely wouldn’t be at uni.”

Maggie's taken every opportunity to achieve her dream of university and is inspiring a next generation to achieve their dreams. Her commitment to giving back shows just how the ripple of support continues to impact equality for Australian children.

The announcement that smashed cups and expectations

More Smith Family Stories

Liam is empowered by his love of learning

Tareeque is reaching his goals

Sedef sets big challenges for herself and rises to them