14 Feb 2018
If determination and passion are anything to go by, then former Dubbo College student and cancer survivor Sarah Harvey is set for a bright future.
The 2016 HSC graduate today received a $5,000 scholarship towards her degree in journalism, which she will start next week at the University of Wollongong.
Sarah was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the middle of her HSC year, and spent four months on chemotherapy at the Sydney Children's Hospital, while living with her parents Kieth and Leanne at Ronald McDonald House in Randwick.
Despite her illness, the high achiever was able to gain her HSC through school assessment and estimates, and held out hope that she would have the opportunity to study journalism in the years ahead.
In 2017, while working as a cadet journalist in Dubbo, Sarah applied for the Charlie Bell Scholarship for Future Leaders, set up to recognise Mr Bell, the former McDonald's Corporation CEO.
Today Sarah received the scholarship at Dubbo College Senior Campus with her family looking on.
McDonald's board member Gary Barraclough and Ronald McDonald House Orange executive officer Rebecca Walsh were on hand to present Sarah with her scholarship, together with a beautiful hand-made quilt to take to university with her.
Ms Walsh said Charlie Bell, who died in 2005, had been the head of McDonalds world-wide and had been a proud Australian.
"Charlie started his working career as a McDonald's crew person in 1976 at age 15 and quickly progressed through the ranks to be Australia's youngest restaurant manager at age 19," she said.
"He went on to become President and CEO of McDonald's Corporation at age 43.
"Charlie was a very determined, passionate man who was a high achiever and there is a strong parallel with Sarah Harvey who exhibits the same traits.
"These scholarships are presented Australia-wide through Ronald McDonald House and we are really pleased that in this region we have been able to award the scholarship to Sarah."
Dubbo College Senior Campus principal Andrew Jones said the College was very proud of Sarah and her achievements.
"When Sarah fell ill the College community rallied around her with fundraising activities, including two staff members shaving their heads," he said.
"We wish Sarah all the very best and I'm sure one day Sarah will come back to us as a motivational speaker for one of our presentation ceremonies.
"She really is a great example of someone who is resilient, even in the face of great adversity, and is determined to achieve her dreams."