The combination of a passion for finance and a love of learning has led to outstanding success for Gympie’s Bronte Newcombe as a Business and Commerce student at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Bronte, who is in the third year of a combined Business and Commerce (Accounting) degree at USC Gympie, collected three major awards at the University’s Faculty of Arts, Business and Law annual Awards and Prizes ceremony recently.

The former Victory College student said she was grateful to USC and to the donors who sponsored her awards that totalled more than $3,000.

“It provides not only financial relief, but also confidence that I am on the right track with my university studies,” she said.

For the second year running, Bronte was awarded the Focus Professional Group Bursary, valued at $1,500, for a second or third-year student studying accounting, and shared the $1,000 CPA Australia Prize for the Highest Achieving Second Year Accounting Student with Samantha Willshire of Palmview.

Bronte also received the Schultz Toomey O'Brien (part of the Slater & Gordon Group) Prize for the Highest Achieving Student in Law of Business Associations, valued at $750.

Just what major to pursue as a career – accounting or financial planning – was still up in the air for Bronte, who said she would decide after completing a business internship later this year.

“I am passionate about finance and helping people. Furthermore, I love learning, and both accounting and financial planning are innovative industries constantly changing and improving their regulations and best practices, ensuring a lifetime of learning,” she said.

Bronte said she scheduled her study program to complete as many classes as possible at the Gympie campus.

“The reduced travel time is convenient and the quality lecturers and their commitment to giving us an excellent education makes studying in Gympie a great choice,” she said.

“The smaller classes permit our lecturers to focus on our individual concerns which is very helpful when it comes to understanding difficult concepts.” 

Two other Bachelor of Commerce students from USC Gympie were also acknowledged for their academic achievements at the Faculty’s Awards and Prizes ceremony.

Dale Bryers was presented with the Garland Waddington Prize for the Highest Achieving Student in Property Law, and the Save on Tax Prize for the Highest Achieving Student in Business Finance.

Gareth Francis was awarded the Sea FM Prize for the Highest Achieving Student in Marketing Communication.

— Clare McKay