The daughter of South Burnett graziers will undertake a Bachelor of Business (Tourism, Leisure and Events Management) with the support of another family from the land through an esteemed bursary for regional and remote students.

Alexandra Kelly from Tablelands, just outside of Murgon, is one of only two first-year USC students this year to be awarded a Tim Fairfax Regional Scholarship, worth up to $20,000 towards an undergraduate degree.

The Fairfax family spent 20 years on a cattle property in rural Queensland and established the scholarship specifically to support students from regional and remote areas who leave home to attend university.

Alexandra, 18, said her family cried when they received the news of the scholarship.

“They were just so proud and so excited,” Alexandra said. “Being offered a place at USC to study my first preference was a big accomplishment for me but getting the Tim Fairfax scholarship was really something very special for us all.”

Alexandra, who graduated from Kingaroy’s St Mary’s Catholic College with an OP6 last year, said she was particularly interested in studying events management while at USC.

“I’d love to become an event manager specifically for business and corporate events and I feel that this degree offers me the very best of both worlds,” Alexandra said.

“I’m a very organised person and I love working in challenging environments, so I’m confident I’ve chosen the right career path.

“One of the reasons I chose USC to study at is the opportunities the location will make possible. The Sunshine Coast is a tourism and events destination, so I hope to be able to do work experience while I’m studying to keep me on my toes.”

USC awards two Tim Fairfax Scholarships to first-year undergraduate students each year.