Mick Young Scholarship Trust
The Mick Young Scholarship Trust, or MYST, is a national fundraising initiative which gives financially disadvantaged students the chance to further their education at Universities, TAFE and colleges right across Australia.
Mick Young was a shearer, union official and Federal Cabinet Minister, driven by the core belief that education creates opportunity. He believed access to it should not be limited just to those who could instantly afford it.
He had an abiding belief: "Education is a right, not a privilege." He knew that it was vital "to break the cycle of unemployment and disadvantage that can restrict a person's potential."
"Break that cycle", Mick would say, "and an individual's place in the community will almost certainly be transformed."
What began as a compassionate idea to provide, from his own pocket, scholarships to assist people doing it tough in his electorate of Port Adelaide, now stands as testimony to the egalitarian beliefs of one man.
He was a man of his time, but also a man ahead of his time. The sentiments that forged Mick's scholarship idea more than two decades ago are still resonating today. The issue of Australia in desperate need of skilled and experienced workers remains a talking point that embraces the nation's politicians, academics, teachers, employers, parents, social policy makers and students themselves.
In fact, just about anyone who cares for Australia's future.
Mick Young's Legacy comes to Canberra
Twenty six MYST scholarship recipients and TAFE support staff had a day they will never forget at Parliament House in Canberra, thanks to a new relationship forged between the Mick Young Scholarship Trust and Virgin Australia.
Virgin Australia flew the recipients and staff from around Australia to attend the inaugural 'Mick Young's legacy comes to Canberra' event. Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer, Hon Wayne Swan MP & Virgin Australia CEO, John Borghetti welcomed the guests and celebrated the impressive achievements of each MYST scholarship recipient.
Federal Ministers and MPs met the students and heard first hand how the Mick Young Scholarships had made education more accessible and had changed their personal circumstances.
The students and TAFE staff enjoyed a private tour of Parliament House and were invited into the House of Representatives Chamber to hear the New Zealand Prime Minister give his keynote address to Parliament. Click here to be taken to a photo gallery of the day.
MYST recipient and mother of seven, Christina Ngawhika best summed up the feelings of those attending, "MYST continues to be a form of hope and inspiration for Australians wanting a better life through education."
The Mick Young Scholarship Trust wishes to acknowledge the generosity of Virgin Australia who made the day possible.
Mick's Big Night Out : the MYST 2011 Gala Dinner
More than 400 guests gathered for a night of heart, honour and humour at 'Mick's Big Night Out', MYST's Gala Dinner, held in Sydney on 11 February, raising $185,000 for scholarship funding.
In a moving speech our special guest, The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Prime Minister of Australia said:
We could christen a building or name a street.
We could do all those things.
But how much more important, 15 years after Mick Young’s death, to send an Australian to TAFE or university...
to give an Australian that extra chance in life that only a great education can bring.
That way, each of these scholarship holders takes something of Mick into the lecture hall and the workshop ...and into a more successful life beyond.
That is why Mick’s memory is honoured through this Trust. This is how we best remember Mick Young.”
