In January 2025, more than 300 school students from across Sydney received an SGCH Strive Scholarship at a special celebratory event at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre. The event’s keynote speaker, former Strive recipient Gerry delivered a powerful testament to the program’s transformative impact.

At the time of speaking, Gerry was working in Premier Chris Minns’s office while completing his law degree (he now works for Zhi Soon, Federal Member for Banks). A Strive Scholarship changed his educational trajectory when he and his mother faced sudden eviction when he was in Year 7, he told the audience.

“We found a lifeline in SGCH and a new home in Hurstville,” Gerry said. “When I first applied for the Strive Scholarship in 2020 I was a young teenager, full of dreams but unsure how to achieve them. I wanted to study at university and work in the public service. Little did I know then just how much this scholarship would open up my world.”

Gerry’s story exemplifies the Strive Scholarship program’s success since its 2006 launch and in February 2025 he was a guest on ABC Radio Sydney with Strive Scholarships program manager, Carrie Yang. Gerry also generously shared his story at a special mentoring event held for recipients of our Strive Tertiary Scholarships in May 2025. 

To date, SGCH has invested more than $3.2 million supporting 2,795 students across all year levels, demonstrating our belief in young people’s potential. The event also showcased SGCH’s expanded partnership with The Smith Family, which provided additional support to 21 students in 2024 through Learning for Life Scholarships and educational resources.

These scholarships are made possible through the generosity of our partners, including Deicorp, SR Construction and other valued supporters who share SGCH’s vision of creating thriving communities across Sydney.