Heather Barnes Scholarship

Currently in its twenty-first year the Heather Barnes Scholarship is funded through a donation made by the late Mrs Heather Barnes, BA ’75, to provide financial support to an undergraduate student enrolled in the second or later year of their course. The scholarship assists students in financial need of a high academic merit to continue to learn and develop as their degree progresses.

Ashley Goodman is the 2017 recipient and he generously shared his personal story which highlights the incredible legacy of this scholarship.

‘As a young person who grew up in a single-parent household, I came to study Medical Science at Flinders with the aim of improving others’ lives through medical research. Numerous members of my own family have been afflicted with conditions like Motor Neuron Disease (MND), bowel cancer and diabetes, which all have a genetic component outside the control of the individual.

Observing the non-discriminatory nature of genetic and other non-lifestyle diseases in friends and family members inspired me to choose my current path of study. Looking to the future, I aim to become a medical researcher who manipulates the tiny, molecular aspects of disease in the hope of developing treatments that target underlying mechanisms.

As the recipient of the 2017 Heather Barnes Scholarship, I have been able to purchase costly travel fares and equipment items essential for my progress towards a scientific career. This financial endorsement has also given me the confidence to continue my studies and seek additional research opportunities, allowing me to contribute towards developing treatments for some of Australia’s cruellest diseases.’

Heather Barnes passed away in 2016, her friendship towards Flinders University and support of the students who attend here, will always be remembered.