Bronny Robins has been determined to provide a better future for her two sons, no matter the setbacks or the journey.
From the age of 24, Bronny held a management position and ran her own business
alongside her then husband. Following a marriage breakdown, an injury and a long wait for surgery, she struggled to retain employment. Life as Bronny knew it, began to spiral out of control.
"Over an eight-month period I applied for about 60 jobs in Mildura, from secretary to
management positions. Out of all those applications, only three resulted in interviews but I still wasn't successful," Bronny said.
It was then, in 2022, that Bronny decided to go to university. She enrolled in a Bachelor of Business (Management and Digital Business) as an online mature-aged student out of La Trobe's Mildura campus.
"I've struggled financially over the past 12 years but I've kept pushing through. As soon as I find an obstacle, I just jump over it and keep going," Bronny said.
Bronny's fight for a better life was exactly the attitude being sought by Elizabeth Proust
AO - a high-profile business figure, Australian changemaker and La Trobe University alum - for her next scholarship.
"I completed my first degree at La Trobe on a Commonwealth scholarship before HECs
existed, which meant I entered the workforce debt free. It's very different today. I think
that it's important that those of us who have achieved success can give back in some
ways," Elizabeth said.
"I fund scholarships at my old school, St Mary's College in Wollongong, and I wanted to do something in the tertiary sector. It was my intention to fund someone in regional Victoria and preferably, a woman."
La Trobe's Proust Family Scholarship is aimed at a second-chance recipient. It provides $7500 per year in financial support as well as mentorship throughout the recipient's degree. It's one of several scholarships and bursaries that the University has available to support students with different backgrounds and needs.
For Bronny, who was thousands of dollars in debt and the sole provider for her two sons, it was "life-changing" news that she had been chosen as the next Proust Family Scholarship recipient.
"It was a huge, huge surprise. I think I ran across the park yelling and screaming with joy to my sons, once I had ended the phone call," Bronny said.
The scholarship has allowed Bronny to focus on her studies and support her family without financial stress. Every so often, she has met with Elizabeth over Zoom where they've spoken about her progress, family, work plans and any setbacks she's faced.
"I was quite intimidated by Elizabeth's impressive career but realised she's very down to earth as soon as we started speaking. Elizabeth is an inspiration for what mums can do. It doesn't matter if you start a bit later in life, you can still go far with the right motivations and networks. I've really valued hearing Elizabeth's story," Bronny said.
Bronny has benefited from La Trobe's Regional Connect program, which supports online students with local work placements and connections to campus events and industry networks.
Sandy Connor, Mildura Head of Campus said Bronny had undertaken a placement at
Mildura Base Public Hospital and would soon start one at Mildura Rural City Council. She
had also engaged in University life as president of the Mildura La Trobe Student
Association Council.
"It's been a privilege watching Bronny grow and seeing the impact her meetings with Elizabeth, as a business leader and champion for women, have had over the course of her degree," Elizabeth said.
Bronny is in her final year, with only two subjects and 300 hours of placement left.
"I am super proud of myself. Of my High Distinction grades and how everything's turned out but it's hard not to feel anxious about whether I'll get a job," Bronny said.
However, according to Elizabeth, Bronny must believe in herself and aim high.
"Bronny has achieved remarkable success in her studies and she will be a wonderful
employee for whomever is fortunate enough to choose her to work for them," Elizabeth
said.
"She is an inspiration, and I will be more than happy to support another woman from
regional Victoria when Bronny graduates."
* La Trobe University scholarship applications for 2025 are open until September 1, 2024.
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