The sandstone arches of Sancta Sophia College filtered the late-summer sunlight as outside, over cups of tea and shared memories, donor Mary Smoker was catching up with two of the students she supports. Daisy Grady and Kyra Dunning are both recipients of scholarships through the University of Sydney's Gadigal Program and proud residents of Sancta Sophia College .
"They feel like my grandchildren," Mary said, smiling warmly. "It's more than just a scholarship. They're such lovely girls and the gratitude is overwhelming for me."
The three women share something deeply meaningful: a bond forged through generosity and a shared sense of belonging.
Mary still remembers the moment when her support of scholars at Sancta all began. It was over a decade ago, during a lunch at the College, when she found herself reflecting on the idea of legacy. As a fellow guest spoke about leaving money to the College in her Will, Mary had a sudden and powerful realisation.
"I thought, why would you wait?" she recalled. "Why not do something while you're alive, when you can meet the students, hear their stories, and actually see what's possible?"
That simple yet profound idea has since transformed the lives of many students at the College. Over the past ten years, Mary has become not only a generous donor but a cherished member of the Sancta community, known for her unwavering kindness, keen interest in student life, and the deeply personal relationships she forms with each scholar she supports.
I just have this sense that each one of them will go on to do what I've done - which is give back. They're flourishing, and the more you give them the more they do. The sky's the limit."
Mary Smoker
"I just have this sense that each one of them will go on to do what I've done - which is give back. They're flourishing, and the more you give them the more they do. The sky's the limit.""
Mary Smoker
Mary's connection to Sancta began long before her philanthropy. She arrived as a pharmacy student in 1964, following in the footsteps of her sister Bernadette. "Because she came to Sancta, I had to come to Sancta," Mary said with a smile. The two girls had grown up in Bathurst, navigating the loss of their father at a young age and relying on scholarships to access education.
"Sancta felt like freedom to me," Mary recalled. That sense of belonging has never left her. "Every time I return, I just feel so welcomed and so at home," she said.
For Mary, philanthropy has never been about writing a cheque and walking away. It's about investing in people, stories, and futures. Nowhere is that more evident than in the relationships she's built with the students she supports.
For Daisy, who is doing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, the impact of Mary's support is clear. "Even if I had got into this degree, if I had to support myself financially, I'd just be working all the time. But because Mary's donated and I can live here, I have time to do what I want, not just work to live," she said.
Daisy's time at Sancta has opened up opportunities beyond the classroom. "I make art for the uni, I have all these jobs tutoring, and I help mentor younger students," she shared. "I even did an internship with CSIRO in Queensland, working on genetic engineering of bovine cells. We're going to release a paper at the end of the year."
Kyra, studying Advanced Computing and Science, echoed the sentiment. "I wouldn't be here without Mary and the Gadigal Centre. It's changed the trajectory of my life," she said. "Sancta is such a nurturing place. I feel safe, supported, and able to think clearly, not constantly worry about money."
For Mary, hearing these stories is what makes giving so worthwhile. "I just love hearing what they're doing. How intuitive and excited they are. It's dazzling," she said. "It's not hard to see why I love doing what I'm doing. I invested in potential, but really, I just watch. I have all the pleasure of seeing them thrive."
As Kyra and Daisy chatted about future plans - Kyra is keen to explore geophysics and computing, Daisy of working with Indigenous communities to protect native wildlife - it was clear the ripple effects of Mary's support would continue far beyond the walls of Sancta Sophia.
"I just have this sense that each one of them will go on to do what I've done, which is give back," Mary said. "They're flourishing, and the more you give them, the more they do. The sky's the limit."
Hero image credit: The University of Sydney.
Mary Smoker with scholarship recipients, Daisy Grady and Kyra Dunning. Photo credit: University of Sydney/ Saman Shad.
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