By Jessica Beebar
My story is one I count myself very lucky to have. Growing up we didn’t have a lot, but we had enough, and I was taught to be grateful for everything life has to offer. My sister and I are the first in the family to attend university and watching her work hard and graduate definitely inspired me to do so.
When I was in high school my parents separated, being a teenage girl has enough challenges as it is, so I struggled quite a lot. I isolated myself from those around me as I felt like nobody understood what I was going through. My sister leant on her boyfriend for support, but I did not know who to lean on. My pop, Allen Beebar became that person for me.
He would call me regularly, pick me up from school and take me for one-on-one coffee dates after school, take me for lunch, take me on walks. He was always there for me. We never talked much about his time served in the Army, but he would show me his memorabilia from the time, along with that of his father and uncle.
Being awarded the Dr Peter Helson Scholarship was something I never could have imagined for myself, and it has been lifechanging
Like many Australians I attend the Dawn Service each year on ANZAC Day, as well as the local ANZAC Day march. Throughout primary school I would march every year proudly wearing my pops medals, and since becoming an adult I march with my pop, or we watch it together.
Being awarded the Dr Peter Helson Scholarship was something I never could have imagined for myself, and it has been lifechanging. Since receiving the scholarship, I have gained marks at university I never thought possible. As a result of these I was put onto the Dean’s list, received a direct invitation into ‘The Academy’, a group for high achievers, and was invited to go to India on a study tour with the Academy.
I was able to accept the invitation to go to India for 2 weeks as I was awarded the ‘New Columbo Grant’ by the Australian High Commission in India, who I got to personally thank during the trip. This never would have been possible without the scholarship allowing me to prioritise studying and my education.
Thank you AVCAT and Dr Peter Helson for giving me the opportunity to change my life.