The gift of education that keeps on giving
Erica Marschall grew up in the small town of Goomeri in Queensland. With a population of just 660 people, it has a very different pace compared to Brisbane’s busy, bustling streets. However, after finishing Year 12, Erica knew that to fulfil her dream of becoming a teacher, she would need to leave her family and move three hours away to study in Brisbane.
Despite being a daunting move, a Laurie Cowled Learning Potential Fund scholarship helped Erica to realise her dream.
“Receiving the Laurie Cowled scholarship has been the cornerstone for my success at university and beyond.
“The funds granted me the accessibility to pay for living and study expenses throughout my degree, but the emotional impact that such a gift has had on me is substantial and long-lasting,” Erica said.
Moving to Brisbane in 2012 and attending QUT enabled Erica to not only achieve her dream of becoming a teacher but also saw her return to her old high school in Murgon after graduating in 2015. At Murgon State High School, Erica is now the Head of the Department for Mathematics and Science and works alongside some of her former teachers.
Erica’s connection to QUT has continued, as she supports her high school students to explore opportunities to study at university – reinforcing the multigenerational impact of the Learning Potential Fund.
“In my career as a high school teacher, I have been determined in many initiatives, particularly to give students more opportunities as a stepping stone to university and achieve what I have achieved,” Erica said.
Learning Potential Fund donors are integral in providing financial support for students facing significant economic challenges like Erica. They also have a prolonged emotional impact by showing belief and encouragement in a student's success and future. To this day, Erica still has a special relationship with Laurie Cowled.
“Laurie is such a warm and generous person. I have visited her at her home, and we constantly email life updates and adventures to each other,” Erica said.
Laurie was a special guest at Erica’s recent Sunshine Coast wedding, where Erica married her now-husband, Bryce.
“It was an honour to have Laurie at my special day, where we celebrated this massive milestone.
“She is a wonderful friend,” Erica said.
Funnily enough, Erica reconnected with Bryce because of the Learning Potential Fund. Whilst they’d attended high school together, they hadn’t been in touch for years. When the QUT team came out to Murgon to film Erica’s story, she had to go to the council chambers to collect the keys to the local town hall. Bryce happened to be working that day and gave her the keys – and the rest is history.
“A Learning Potential Fund scholarship gave me the determination and confidence that I needed to believe in myself and has driven me to be successful,” Erica said.
“This gift is a key to future success.
You can give the gift of education to others like Erica by supporting the QUT Learning Potential Fund.