Local legacy delivers life-changing impacts for Deakin students

Following her first step into tertiary education, Ms Reeve, a proud Gunditjmara woman, has gone on to complete a Master of Arts degree (Writing and Literature); been shortlisted for multiple writing prizes; edited an online magazine; and supported the next generation of indigenous students as an Academic Fellow.

But it may not have all been possible without the local legacy of the Allison Murphy Memorial Scholarship, of which Ms Reeve was the inaugural recipient in 2014.

'I didn’t realise at that point how much of an impact the scholarship would have,' said Ms Reeve, who also welcomed a son while completing her studies.

'The Allison Murphy Scholarship shone a light externally with furthering my studies to working within community and having ongoing support from the committee. It also shone a light internally on my past hardships; they aren't dead ends; they are spears into the horizon.'

The Scholarship, which supports young women studying journalism, politics, media or marketing at Deakin, was created in honour of Allison Murphy - Alli to her friends and family - a Deakin Journalism graduate, respected strategic advisor and beloved Geelong community member who sadly passed away in 2014.

After starting her own strategic communications firm in 2004, Alli was instrumental in promoting Geelong’s major growth and infrastructure development and contributed to many local community organisations through pro-bono work for close to a decade.

The Allison Murphy Memorial Scholarship was born from funds raised by local contributors in Alli’s honour and has provided financial support and mentorship to recipient students for the last 10 years.

'For the Geelong community the Alli Murphy Memorial Scholarship achieves two important objectives,' said Peter Dorling, a Scholarship Committee Member.

'Firstly, to honour the life and legacy of this remarkable and dynamic woman, and secondly to help scholarship recipients pursue their educational dreams in the spirit of Alli Murphy.’

Deakin's Chief Advancement Officer Jimmy Buck said residents and leaders in the region have long supported Deakin ever since it opened as Victoria’s first regional university 50 years ago.

'From our beginnings, Deakin has been built on the support of the Geelong community and the impact of local legacies like Alli’s, and the generosity of donors, is beyond measure,’ said Mr Buck.

'Regional connection has always been at the core of Deakin and in 2024, more than 50% of our scholarships were awarded to students in regional and remote areas.

'These scholarships offer opportunities for students who may not have been able to study otherwise and it’s fantastic to read the stories of recipients who are using their education to contribute to and build stronger communities.'