Isobel Tonkin of Nanango has received a prestigious $20,000 scholarship from the University of the Sunshine Coast.

The Nanango State High School graduate, 18, was awarded a Renouf Family Scholarship for academic excellence, one of two awarded to new USC students this year.

The Renouf Family Scholarships were established in 2008 by Sir Clem Renouf in memory of his parents for giving him the best educational opportunity possible under challenging circumstances.

Isobel, who achieved an OP3, has started a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at USC and said the scholarship would make it much easier for her to settle into her studies on the Sunshine Coast.

“I was completely surprised but really happy to be awarded a scholarship of such renown,” she said.

“Mum and Dad were over the moon when I told them. I moved from Nanango to go to USC, so it will really help with accommodation costs and visiting home.

“I had heard really good things about USC and I’m a country girl, so the idea of going to a smaller university appealed to me.”

Isobel said she had been motivated to study Biomedical Science by her desire to learn more about how the human body functions.

“I felt like the degree would be really interesting and a good challenge,” she said. “I’m looking forward to learning more about human physiology, and particularly what goes on inside the body when it contracts a disease.

“In my classes so far, the lecturers and teachers have been great. They make a real effort to ensure we all understand the content.”

Isobel held a number of leadership positions during high school, including as student council vice-president and as a mentor for younger students, and kept busy outside school playing netball, golf, soccer and horse riding.

— Gen Kennedy