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Tom Love’s fascination with how things work began long before university, growing from tinkering, 3D printing and a Year 12 Design and Technology project that saw him design and build a 3D-printed wind turbine. That hands-on curiosity helped shape a clear path to mechanical engineering at the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp of ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp (UOW).

“Working on my mountain bike was a big driver in my aspiration to become an engineer,” Tom said. “I used to 3D print parts for my bike then test and refine these designs.” 

By Year 11, Tom knew mechanical engineering was the right fit. 

“Everything I liked about high school – maths, physics and design tech – was all in one degree,” he said. 

Designing a future in energy

Tom, who grew up in Canberra, says he was drawn to engineering at UOW because it allows him to turn creativity into something practical and meaningful.

“Engineering gives me the opportunity to be creative in an impactful way.”

Tom was awarded the , aimed at supporting students with strong potential as they begin their studies.

He almost didn’t apply, assuming the competition would be too strong, but says the process provided both a confidence boost and practical support.

“The scholarship has helped with moving out of home and settling into ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp, and it goes a long way knowing other people are believing in me,” Tom said. “It was mainly a confidence thing. It was good that someone thought I was going to do well.”

That support also gave him a more tangible connection to the industry he hopes to join. When he drives back to Canberra, Tom passes wind turbines owned and operated by Squadron Energy.

“It’s pretty cool when you think about them supporting you, because they own and run the wind turbines you see on the drive back to Canberra,” he said.

Tom hopes to work in the energy sector and help develop new solutions that improve lives in Australia and beyond.

Where curiosity, culture and community meet

Toorda Lovett recipient of the 2026 Squadron Energy Renewables Scholarship for Indigenous Students.

For first-year student Toorda Lovett, a long-held curiosity about science began in primary school and provided a clear direction for her university studies.

“I’ve always been interested in science and understanding the application,” Toorda said.

“During primary school I was always a bit of a nerd, I was really into astrophysics. I was given an extension project at the end of Year 6 where the topic was open, and I chose the brain and neuroscience. I absolutely fell in love with neuroscience and everything about it.”

The early interest helped shape her decision to study a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at UOW, with her sights set on pharmaceutical chemistry and research into neurological disorders.

A regional summer camp through Woolyungah Indigenous Centre (WIC) first brought UOW onto her radar.

“When I was in Year 9, I actually came to a summer camp through WIC in 2022,” she said. “We spent a week on campus and got a taste of what university life is like, and I absolutely fell in love with it.

“I enjoyed my experience at UOW and immediately knew it was where I wanted to study.”

Toorda’s path to university became more real when she received early admission, but the financial side of study quickly came to mind.

“Going for scholarships and grants was always in the back of my mind, because the reality was ‘how am I going to pay for that?’”

With encouragement from her high school teachers, she completed the applications after graduation.

“They said, ‘we’re going to sit here, and you’re going to write these applications,’” she said.

She was offered scholarships to help get started at university and says the call confirming she had received the came as a shock.

“My friends and I were all in the car together when I got the call. I went on mute and we all started screaming when I was told I was the successful applicant,” she said.

Support beyond the classroom

For Toorda, the Squadron Energy Scholarship is about more than financial support at the start of university. It has provided stability and encouragement as her studies and interests continue to evolve.

“The Squadron Energy scholarship will be vital in helping me pursue a PhD.”

The support has also helped her settle into university life and connect with the community.

“They’ve been incredible, especially the opportunities I’ve accessed through Woolyungah Indigenous Centre. I owe a lot to them being here,” Toorda said.  “I’ve got an accommodation scholarship so I can live on campus, and they provide tutoring for all my subjects, which really helps, especially during exams.

“They support more than just the academic side of things – it extends to mental health and many other areas of my life.”

For both students, the scholarships have eased the transition into university while helping them pursue fields they care about.

Squadron Energy said it was pleased to support students as they begin their studies and build pathways into the energy sector.

“These scholarships are about creating opportunities for students as they begin their university journey,” Rita Boyd, PKET (Port Kembla Energy Terminal) Senior Operations Readiness Manager at Squadron Energy said.

“Squadron Energy is proud to partner with the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp of ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp to support Tom and Toorda, helping them pursue their ambitions, and build the skills and experience that will contribute to Australia’s renewable energy future. We look forward to seeing the contributions they make to their chosen fields in the years ahead.”

Momentum in motion

Looking back, Toorda says her younger self would be surprised by how far she has come.

“If Year 6 me could see me now, we’d be the same height” she laughs, “but she’d be shocked.”

For others starting university, her advice is simple: lean on the support around you.

“I’ve grown into liking support and help. To others new to uni life, I’d say lean on all the support you have. I’ve had so much support in the last 12 months – from applying to uni to finishing my first semester – and that’s coming from someone who hates getting support.”

For Tom, university has brought him into a cohort of like-minded people, after coming from a high school where his Design and Technology class had only a handful of students. That sense of connection has continued through involvement in the team, where he is gaining hands-on experience alongside his studies.

As they approach the end of their first year, Tom and Toorda say they are already seeing the impact of studying in fields they care deeply about, with support helping turn early interests into momentum.