高清福利片

Cameryn Smider

Cameryn Smider loves mathematics, and particularly calculus. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e trying to find the gradient of a tangent, which is the rate of change of the curve at that one point. When you first see it, it feels so abstract. But at the end you have a weird little formula that you can apply to so many things.鈥�

Raised in Lake Munmorah on NSW鈥檚 Central Coast, Cameryn displayed an early talent for maths and science, and set her sights on studying at the University of Sydney. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think I would get in, because the ATAR for my course was so high,鈥� she explains.

However, Cameryn is one of more than 600 students who have started a degree in 2023 thanks to the MySydney Scholarship Scheme, which supports students from underrepresented groups through funding and community initiatives. The adjusted ATAR requirements meant that Cameryn could enrol in a Bachelor of Science and Master of Mathematical Sciences at the start of this year.

As the first in her family to attend university, the $8500 annual stipend has made taking this step feel less daunting. 鈥淏uying textbooks, buying a laptop 鈥� it all adds up to thousands of dollars. And no one from my high school came to this university, so it鈥檚 been scary. But I鈥檝e met a lot of really nice MySydney students and made heaps of friends. These scholarships help people who wouldn鈥檛 necessarily be able to go to university to succeed.鈥�

Like Cameryn, the University and its community of supporters are interested in the gradient of a tangent 鈥� in this case, the number of students, irrespective of their backgrounds, who can access an excellent education. Gifts from dedicated donors are accelerating the rate of change at Sydney, providing the next generation with the best possible chance of success.

Dott. (Dr) Maria Teresa Savio Hooke

For scholarships donor Dott. (Dr) Maria Teresa Savio Hooke OAM, the transformative power of education is palpable as she reflects on her life. A compassionate, inquisitive woman, she studied languages and foreign literature at the University of Turin, where she also took a postgraduate in Psychology, which was the beginning of her interest in psychoanalysis.

Maria Teresa speaks passionately about universities as a central site for connection. 鈥淭here is a philosopher that talks about this idea of a communicative community, where students have a chance to meet and understand each other, to discover themselves, to follow what is meaningful and alive for them. When I was at university, we worked in small groups of 10-15, which allowed for an exchange of ideas. I鈥檓 a strong believer in learning in groups.鈥�

Her studies in psychoanalysis took her to London, where she completed further training in what she calls the 鈥済olden age鈥� of psychoanalysis. It was during this time, on a ski trip, that she met John Hooke CBE (BSc 鈥�55, BE 鈥�58). A University of Sydney alumnus and Chief Executive of Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia), he would later become her husband and father of her two sons.

John and Maria Teresa鈥檚 journey as donors began in 2011, when they established the John Hooke Chair in聽Nanoscience, and later, a scholarship for undergraduate science students. 鈥淚 think philanthropy is an emotional thing. The University of Sydney was the university for John, and he gave because he had this connection with physics, this belief in science and rational thinking.鈥�

Since John鈥檚 death in 2018, Maria Teresa has gone on to support postgraduate research scholarships in both chronic disease and Italian Studies. Most recently, she has pledged to support four students from low socioeconomic backgrounds through the Maria Teresa Savio Hooke OAM MySydney Scholarship.

Maria Teresa also emphasises the role educators play. 鈥淚f you are lucky in life, you find a mentor that helps you find your way. A mentor will see in you something that you don鈥檛 see yourself.鈥�

In terms of her motivation as a donor, Maria Teresa says this too comes down to communicative community. 鈥淚t鈥檚 fundamental. Seeing students speak at functions about their experience 鈥� building that emotional connection 鈥� makes people want to be part of it. You can see the result of your giving, you see the student who is actually benefitting from the scholarship. The impact is very tangible.鈥�

Chancellor Belinda Hutchinson AC

Having served as Chancellor of the University for over a decade, it鈥檚 no surprise that Belinda Hutchinson AC (BEc 鈥�76) is deeply passionate about education.

Her father completed an engineering degree after spending World War II as a pilot, benefitting from a scholarship program for returning servicemen and women. 鈥淢y dad was the first in his family to graduate from university. He used to fly up and down the coast delivering newspapers to cover his expenses.鈥�

His four children all went to Sydney, with Belinda graduating with a Bachelor of Economics.

鈥淢y parents always said the most important thing was to give us the best possible education. And they did 鈥� all four of their children and many of their grandchildren studied at Sydney.鈥�

The MySydney initiative came at a perfect time, as Belinda was considering how best to honour her parents鈥� legacy. The Bill and Meila Hutchinson MySydney Scholarship will help 20 engineering and medicine students pursue tertiary education 鈥� people like her father, who otherwise might not have had the chance.

Belinda is proud to play a part in what she sees as a crucial element of the University鈥檚 ten-year strategic plan.

鈥淲e鈥檝e placed equity and diversity at the heart of our aspirations. This is not a 鈥榥ice to have鈥�. Social equity is an important part of our history, and it must be central to our future. If we are to stand among the world鈥檚 best universities in terms of education and research, we must genuinely take steps to reflect the communities around us.鈥� And on a personal level? 鈥淚 know Mum and Dad would be excited.鈥�

Written by聽Chloe Pryce for the 2023 donor publication. Photography by Stefanie Zingsheim

叠测听supporting education for all, you can help students from disadvantaged backgrounds to access university through life-changing scholarships, ensure they feel supported throughout their studies and enable them to achieve their full potential.