School students awarded Strive Scholarships at Liverpool Powerhouse. 

Starting the school year in 2026 will be made a little bit easier for families in Greater Sydney, with SGCH awarding 200 students a Strive Scholarship. 

The Scholarships are worth $200,000 in total and are for families who live in social and affordable properties Sydney-wide: from Liverpool to Bonnyrigg to Marrickville to Bondi.  

 Around 150 people gathered for the ceremony at Liverpool Powerhouse Theatre on Tuesday 20 January to celebrate – 89 students from Kindergarten to Year 6 received $500 each and a further 136 students Year 7 - 12 students received $1000 each.    

 Strive Scholarship funds educational essentials: school uniforms, laptops and tutoring, as well as, extra-curricular activities, easing financial pressure for families.   

Special guests Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC Governor of NSW, Patron of SGCH (pictured above) and the Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda MP presented each student with a 2026 scholarship certificate.   

  The Ceremony  

The atmosphere of the day was joyful, with former Strive Scholar Tim Murdoch performing original songs and upbeat anthems, sharing how he lives with Cerebral Palsy and has smashed barriers through music.     

 Former Strive Scholar Ebony Thompson, a proud Gamilaraay and Dunghutti woman, made a keynote address sharing how the program had helped her.  

  “The scholarship supported me when I was studying a Bachelor of Business. I was living alone in St George Community Housing and that extra financial support helped me continue my studies and stay focused on my goals,” Ms Thompson said.    

 From working in kitchens to relocating to pursue a career at CommBank in Sydney, today she works for NSW Government, improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Peoples, helping build hospitals across the state.    

  “Being a chef taught me discipline and creativity. Working in a bank taught me confidence and professionalism. Working in government allows me to bring it all together – doing work I truly care about,” Ms Thompson added.   

  About SGCH Strive Scholarships  

  SGCH’s Housing Plus Manager Carrie Yang says the program is one of the most important ways the housing provider supports its customers to thrive, beyond tenancy.    

 “Having a safe, secure and affordable home is the foundation for everything else in life, including a good education and a great career. Strive Scholarships is not just a financial investment – it’s a vote of confidence in young people and the potential that lives within each and every SGCH home.”   
 

In 2026 Strive celebrates 20 years with the program investing a grand total of $3.9 million to supporting around 3,500 primary, high school and tertiary students reach their educational goals.   

  “We’ve seen many firsts. We’ve seen young people be the first in their families to finish high school and complete university.  Some have gone on to work in government. Others have started small businesses,” Ms. Yang added.    

Scholarship Supporters  

 The event also marked the presentation of the Fouad Deiri AM Scholarships by Deicorp Executive Manager – Corporate Communications, Robert Furolo, to two talented students from Bonnyrigg, both pursuing careers in construction. 

Strive Scholarships are made possible through the generosity of Deicorp, SR Construction, Asset Group Services and Phoenix Fire Safety. The Smith Family also provides further support to 12 families and 21 students.    

 Through this collaboration, each student has received a Learning for Life Scholarship and access to valuable resources, including Optus SIM cards, broadband support, vision vouchers, and educational programs including Matific, LiteracyPlanet, and Reading Eggs.    

 For media queries, contact communications@sgch.com.au