An 18 year-old QUT music student from McDowall has been awarded the 2017 QUT Amy Clough Scholarship to cover his first year of creative industries tuition fees.
The scholarship was created in 2013 for QUT Creative Industries students affected by cancer. Arran McNamara was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma as a young child in the early 2000s which saw his family move from Mareeba in Far North Queensland to Brisbane for better access to treatment.
“This type of cancer has a very low survival rate and my prognosis was not good. I had multiple tumours which required a harsh regime of chemotherapy, a lot of surgery, radiation and even a stem cell transplant,” said Arran.
“I was very lucky though as I unexpectedly went into remission and have remained so ever since although because of the treatment and the removal of one adrenal gland, the other adrenal gland subsequently failed and I have Addison’s disease.”
Arran now has to take a synthetic form of the hormone Cortisol several times a day and his illness has left him with ongoing dental, vision and hearing problems.
Despite all he has been through his determination to make a career as a musician is as strong as ever.
“I knew QUT would be best place for me to study as it as it offers a composition rather than repertoire course structure. The new world-class Creative Industries facilities, including state-of-the-art music studios, were also a big drawcard,” said Arran who plays guitar, sings and also composes music.
The QUT Amy Clough Scholarship helps students undertaking studies in entertainment industries, journalism or music who have been personally affected by cancer.
The scholarship was named in memory of passionate music fan and University of the Sunshine Coast student Amy Clough, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma at 16. She passed away in 2012 aged 22 and left behind a legacy of inspiration, a loving family and far-reaching friendships.
A partnership between QUT, Sony Music Australia, Nova Entertainment, NewsCorp and the Brisbane Broncos, the scholarship covers first-year tuition fees for a student undertaking a Bachelor of Entertainment Industries, Journalism, or Music and internship opportunities in the subsequent years of their degree.
Professor Mandy Thomas, Executive Dean of QUT's Faculty of Creative Industries, said it was a privilege to be involved in creating the scholarship.
"QUT is privileged to be a part of the QUT Amy Clough Scholarship. It is important that we extend Amy’s legacy by assisting students whose lives have been personally affected by cancer," Professor Thomas said.
“It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Arran McNamara on becoming the fifth recipient of the scholarship.
“I am sure it will inspire him to pursue his dream and help open doors. The 2013 recipient Katie O’Hagan went on to work for Sony Music as a direct result of her internship there through the scholarship.”
A photo of Arran with Professor Thomas is available for download on flickr.
QUT is part of a national collaborative group of five major Australian universities that form the ATN (Australian Technology Network of Universities).
Media contact:
Amanda Weaver, QUT Media, 07 3138 9449, amanda.weaver@qut.edu.au
After hours: Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901, media@qut.edu.au
