When disaster struck, one thing kept him going 

When record-breaking floods cut off WenYuan’s family home in Taree on the mid-north coast of NSW last year, he was hundreds of kilometres away, studying at UNSW Sydney. With roads impassable, his parents had no access to supermarket supplies or medical help, and the building they were in the process of buying for their small law firm sustained serious water damage. WenYuan was deeply concerned. But one thing he didn’t have to think twice about was whether he could afford to stay at university. 

Thanks to the Ian and Barbara Burgess Memorial Scholarship, WenYuan had the financial stability he needed to focus on his studies while staying closely connected to his family back home.  

“Having the financial backing of a scholarship meant that I was not reliant on my parents for anything,” he says. “I have not needed to worry about the money in my bank or whether I can afford rent. That was a huge relief, knowing my parents could concentrate on getting back on their feet rather than worrying about me. 

“It’s daunting living in Sydney when you’ve grown up in the country. Everything is so incredibly expensive. And on top of that, lots of students from the country have to worry about their families being impacted by extreme weather events and not being able to be with them during those times.” 

Before his passing in 2014, respected business leader Dr Ian Burgess AO and his wife, Barbara, made a gift in their Will to establish the Ian and Barbara Burgess Memorial Scholarships. Supporting rural students studying in the Faculties of Engineering and Science, the scholarships reflect Ian’s belief in the transformative power of education – and the importance of ensuring talented students can access university, regardless of their background or circumstances. 

Ian’s own journey was shaped by his experience as a student from the country. After boarding at The King’s School in North Parramatta, he went on to study industrial chemistry at UNSW, navigating the challenges of moving to the city to pursue his education. Understanding how difficult that transition could be, Ian and Barbara were determined to help rural students settle into university life and succeed. 

The couple’s niece, Janet Twigden, finds it deeply moving knowing that “every year, there is a family standing around a kitchen table, and a young person who opens a letter and says, ‘Wow, I’ve won a scholarship.’ 

“I am so proud of [Ian and Barbara], that they used the rewards of a lifetime to create a better world,” she says. 

For WenYuan, now in his fourth year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Renewable Energy)/Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) (Chemistry) double degree, that support has been pivotal. With the stability the scholarship has provided, he has been able to pursue his passion for developing technologies such as solar power to help deliver clean, accessible renewable energy. While his family was fortunate to escape the worst of the flooding, many homes and businesses in his hometown were not so lucky. 

Scholarships at UNSW do more than provide financial assistance – they are a catalyst for change. By removing the barriers that prevent students from accessing education, these scholarships help students reach their full potential. In time, they can turn opportunity into lasting impact – creating change for their communities and for the world. 

Learn more about how philanthropy-funded scholarships are enabling students to learn, grow and succeed.