Western Chances

Western Chances was established in 2003 by Terry Bracks AM. Having worked as a teacher in Victorian state schools, Terry knew the potential of young people was too often unfulfilled due to financial barriers to education.

From a grass roots organisation providing a handful of scholarships, Western Chances now awards hundreds of scholarships annually to help talented and motivated young people across the six municipalities in Melbourne’s west. Western Chances assists young people to realise their potential by providing new and renewal scholarships, opportunity programs and ongoing support. We aim to support each young person from when they receive their first scholarship throughout their education and on to employment.

Our scholarships provide funding for small items that have a big impact. Things like textbooks and stationery, laptops and internet access, specialist equipment and MYKI. We also give young people a sense of self-belief, motivation and pride.

Our recipients have established themselves in professions such as commerce, engineering, environmental science, marketing, law, medicine, and the arts. We’re so proud of the young people we’ve supported and continue to support, and the momentum we’ve achieved in just over a decade.

Western Chances relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and philanthropic trusts and foundations. Boom Baby Boom Publishing is proudly supporting young people in Melbourne’s west by donating 100% of the profits from the sales of ‘How the west was one’ to Western Chances.

Visit http://westernchances.org.au/