Traumatic motorcycle accident sparks opportunity

Tuesday 5 December 2006

An outstanding student at the University of Newcastle has gone from strength to strength since surviving a motorcycle accident in the West Australian outback.

Stephen George plans to be a business Honours student in 2008, but would not be studying at all had he not crashed his motorcycle in 2003.

"I was working for a remote mining equipment company in central Western Australia, when I was riding my motorcycle near Paraburdoo and hit a kangaroo," Mr George said.

He suffered multiple fractures to his ribs and limbs and was semi-conscious for three days before he fully awoke in a Perth hospital. He was later told that the Royal Flying Doctor Service had airlifted him from the remote location where he was found.

During recovery in Newcastle and between operations on his right arm, Mr George saw an opportunity to study and enrolled at the TAFE NSW - Hunter Institute and excelled in a Diploma of Business.

After a year at TAFE and consistent high academic achievement, Mr George was offered a Pathways Scholarship to study a Bachelor of Business degree at the University of Newcastle.

The Pathways Scholarship was offered for the first time in 2005 by the University of Newcastle and is awarded to those who have articulated to university through the TAFE pathways program and performed well during studies.

TAFE NSW - Hunter Institute Director Phil Cox said, "Students who commence study at Hunter TAFE not only acquire excellent skills and training, but they can also gain credit for their TAFE studies at University which can take time off their degree and when they graduate they'll have two sets of qualifications."

The University of Newcastle offers a wide range of scholarships and alternative entry programs for people without the HSC or a UAI, which include the Open Foundation course and the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

If accepted for the Honours program Mr George will complete it on a part-time basis by 2009 and plans to work as a manager while finishing his studies.

The University of Newcastle is conducting Advisory Days on 20 December 2006 and 3 January 2007 which provide information about alternative pathways into university. They also provide an opportunity to get last-minute advice from University staff before the closing date for changing main round UAC preferences.

Contact and photo opportunity: Stephen George on 0438 491 980.