A Greater Western Water (GWW) partnership with not-for-profit Western Chances is helping young people in Melbourne's west with scholarships that support them to overcome barriers and to thrive in their education and employment journey.
In May 2024, GWW announced it was providing Western Chances $75,000 over three years as part of its Thriving Communities sponsorship program.
Western Chances supports young students in Melbourne's west - many of whom have come from migrant backgrounds and can face barriers to accessing education and employment opportunities - through scholarships, internships and events.
GWW General Manager Strategy and Partnerships Kessia Thomson said the Thriving Communities program funded local projects and activities that supported connections within the community and made the west a great place to live.
"Western Chances is all about keeping young people in education, creating equity and opportunity and this is brilliantly aligned with our goal to help build Thriving Communities," she said.
Since the GWW partnership with Western Chances began in 2024, 44 students have been supported with scholarship grants of between $650 to $1000 a student.
The annual scholarships have gone towards vital resources students need to get through university, for example textbooks, laptops, internet costs, lab coats and Myki travel cards for students 18 years and over.
In addition, the funding has contributed to four West Connect events designed to help develop students' job ready skills, including a networking event focused on the graduate job market and an internship focused event in 2024.
In 2025, the West Connect events featured a women in leadership focused event and a well-attended end of year celebration with alumni and sponsors.
GWW Head of Strategy and Sustainable Water Futures, Suzanne Knight, attended the end of year celebration and said there was a growing number of positive outcomes at just over halfway into the three-year partnership.
"I was delighted to meet with some of the students who have directly benefited from this important program, which is helping to meet a real need in our service area," she said.
Western Chances CEO Jackie Taylor said it was timely to talk about the impacts of the program, especially with International Day of Education on January 24 an important reminder that access to education is a key driver of participation.
"With support from Greater Western Water, Western Chances removes financial and access barriers - through scholarships and West Connect - so young people in Melbourne's west can participate fully in learning, be heard, and pursue meaningful study and work pathways."
