“Take every opportunity the school gives you. If you want to do something, follow your heart and do it.”
These are the words that Eva Westbrook (12 Frew) offers to new students entering Girton. And her embodiment of these words has earned her the prestigious 2025 Departing Girtonian Scholarship, a $2,500 prize presented to a graduating student who exemplifies the qualities of an upstanding Girtonian.
Eva sought to immerse herself in every aspect of Girton life from the moment she joined the school as a Year 2 student in 2015. She is a performer, having graced the stage as a member of String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Girton Singers, Vocal Stage Craft, One Act Play and many of our School Productions.
Eva is a leader, having taken on the roles of Prefect and Co-Curricular Captain in 2025, and having previously been a Frew House Vice Captain and a Peer Support Leader. She has developed a love of public speaking, and those who have taught Eva and studied alongside her describe her as an excellent role model who truly leads by example.
They also describe her as someone who strives for excellence, demonstrates a genuine love of learning, and has a high level of self-discipline. This is reflected in her many achievements and awards, including Colours for Academic Endeavour, Music, Drama and Frew House, and the coveted Gold level in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.
These many achievements and accolades aside, it is her appointment as inaugural Captain of the Girton Community Action Group (GCAG) this year that points to her true passion: community service.
Eva’s commitment to – and genuine love of – helping others shines through in her words and actions. “I’ve been signing up for every single email from (Head of Community Service) Mrs Fisher since Junior School,” she said during her scholarship interview. “I always strive to live in accordance with my values and ethics and hope that this shows in everything I do.”
Time and again, she has volunteered to support school and community initiatives. This year and last, she spent time assisting in our Junior School classrooms and in aged care homes throughout Bendigo. She hasn’t missed a school or House working bee, and has donated her time to causes including Red Shield Appeal, Bendigo Cycling Classic, Bendigo Farmer’s Market, Bendigo Sustainable Living Festival, Dementia Memory Walk & Jog, and Bendigo Ford Fun Run.
In 2024, Eva participated in World Challenge, travelling to Nepal with like-minded peers on a student-led trip full of exploration, adventure, connection and discovery, supporting local Nepalese communities.
Under Eva’s guidance and leadership, GCAG had a very successful 2025, raising much-needed funds for organisations including Headspace, Minus18, Righteous Pups, Reconciliation Australia, Bendigo Foodshare, World Wildlife Fund and SisterWorks Bendigo. And she will leave a lasting legacy at Girton, with her Prefect initiative of offering Girton students the opportunity to volunteer for Bendigo Foodshare coming to fruition as part of GCAG next year.
Looking to the future, the winner of the 2025 OGA Scholarship has grand plans.
Eva plans to first pursue a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne, majoring in Geography, and to then continue on to study a Master of Humanitarianism. She will use her scholarship prize to support her studies in Melbourne, where she has been offered a provisional place of residence at St Hilda’s College. And, after completing her tertiary studies, Eva hopes to enter the field of international aid.
The Old Girtonians’ Association congratulates Eva on being awarded the 2025 Departing Girtonian Scholarship in acknowledgement of her leadership, community spirit and embodiment of the Girton values.
