Kate Cleaver

The Robb College Wal and Pam Whalley Scholarship 2020 recipient

Letter of Appreciation

Dear Mr and Mrs Whalley,

I am writing to you to say thank you for your kind donation towards the scholarship that I recently received. I am beyond grateful.

I am in my third and final year of studying a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Marketing and Management, residing at Robb College. I am the third member of my family to join the Robb community. I, like them could not be more grateful of my time being at Robb College. I have met lifelong friends, participated in all sports that are offered and thoroughly enjoy organising events for the college. Robb truly provides an atmosphere where everyone is included and valued. I clearly remember arriving on my first day by myself (as my mum was working and my dad couldn’t leave the property). Whilst travelling the 6 hours to College I was constantly thinking of a plan of attack to make friends when I arrived. I parked my car and straight away was greeted by three members of the Robb leadership team. Their enthusiasm immediately put me at ease.  I walked down the hallway not knowing any of the names on the doors, and I clearly remember saying hi to my next-door neighbour, George Jackson. I now can say that he is proudly one of my best friends.

Within the first week there was no looking back. I was having the absolute best time. My first phone call home was when I started choosing my units. I rang home and said “Mum I don’t think I can do this; I have Economics, Statistics, Accounting and Marketing. They are too hard for me”. Her one piece of advice was, try your best Kate and you will succeed. I admit that it was hard, but with the support of other older students and my peer group I successfully completed my first and second years. I have always been an average student, who has had to try a little harder than most other students.  Being surrounded by so many other Robbers completing similar units motivates me to do my best.

I have a passion for organising events and seeing them succeed. This is why I decided to study business. I have been lucky to gain holiday employment with the help of my many Robb connections. This has helped toward supporting myself throughout the years. The connections that Robb students gain are never ending.  I am currently deciding whether I will complete my Masters in Education or apply for graduate positions. In the long term I look forward to being back in a regional community. I am passionate about the agricultural world and hope to contribute to closing the gap between the country and our city counterparts.

Thank you for your support in my final year of study.  In the future I hope that I am able to give back to college in the way that you both have; Robb is lucky to have such an inspiring mentor.

Kind regards,

Kate Cleaver