Three LGBTQIA+ professionals have been awarded scholarships to support their further education and community leadership through the Pride Business Association's 2025 education fund.
The scholarships, announced on Thursday night, provide a total of $17,500 to recipients undertaking further study in law, social work and business to expand their leadership and community impact.
The education fund aims to remove financial barriers for adult learners, helping LGBTQIA+ professionals and entrepreneurs build their careers while contributing to their communities.
This year’s recipients are Todd Lynch, who received the $10,000 Michael Glynn Scholarship; Bree Mountain, who was awarded the $5000 Rise Scholarship; and Robert Allison, who received the $2500 Volmac Group Scholarship.
Pride Business Association president Jarrod Lomas said the winners reflect the fund's values of leadership, service and visibility.
"Each of our winners represents what the PBA Education Fund is all about – opportunity, impact and inclusion. Todd, Bree and Robert are pursuing education not only to build their own futures, but to strengthen and uplift our community. We’re proud to back them as they continue to lead by example," he said.
"The PBA Education Fund exists because we know how powerful it is to remove barriers. A scholarship can be the difference between someone finishing their studies or not, and in that lies a ripple effect that benefits our whole community."
Education fund committee chair Chris Colwell said this year's recipients demonstrated both diversity and depth of talent.
"Our recipients come from different professional and personal backgrounds, but share a common drive to create change. From building fairer legal systems, to advancing LGBTQIA+ health and inclusion, to reshaping workplaces in the trades, each recipient is making a tangible difference. Supporting them is an investment in a stronger, more inclusive future,” he said.
"We're especially grateful to the Volmac Group for their continued sponsorship of the Volmac Group Scholarship, and to the many individuals and organisations whose donations power the Fund. The PBA Education Fund exists because of the generosity of our community – every dollar helps someone take the next step in their education and their life."
Scholarship recipients
Todd Lynch is studying a Diploma in Law through the NSW Legal Profession Admission Board, with the goal of becoming a lawyer. A member of Pride in Law and a person with a disability, Lynch has a background in governance and risk and holds multiple qualifications, including an MBA. He lives near Port Macquarie with his husband and two dogs.
Bree Mountain, a social worker and community advocate, is completing a Master of Sexology at Curtin University. She has received an ACON Honour Award and was named in Out for Australia’s 30 Under 30, and is focused on advancing LGBTQIA+ health and wellbeing through direct work, research and policy.
Robert Allison, raised in South Africa and now based in Parramatta, is studying an MBA at UNSW. Initially pursuing a career in chaplaincy before being turned away for being “too gay”, he founded a gardening business and is now working to make blue-collar industries more inclusive for LGBTQIA+ people.
Since its inception, the Pride Business Association’s education fund has distributed just under $100,000 in scholarships.
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