Dare to Dream Scholarship 2025: Winners and Finalists
Two remarkable young Australians have been named winners of the 2025 Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship.
Redkite Dare to Dream Scholarship: Helping teens Achieve Their Goals
Empowering teens to rediscover their confidence and pursue their passions beyond cancer
We believe that cancer shouldn’t get in the way of achieving your goals.
Since 2013, Coles has partnered with Redkite to support children and young people affected by cancer and their families. During the last ten years, Coles has raised over $50 million to help thousands of Redkite families, enabling essential practical, financial, emotional, and mental health support to be provided during their cancer experience.
The Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship was established to inspire teenagers affected by cancer to achieve their goals and ambitions. This scholarship, funded by Coles, helps teenagers build their future. The possibilities that the Dare to Dream Scholarship creates for young Australians are life-changing.
Together, Redkite and Coles have awarded over 450 scholarships since 2013 worth over $800,500.
Who can apply?
The Dare to Dream Scholarship is open to any teenager (aged 13-18 years old) in Australia who has cancer or has had cancer at any point in their life.
What can the scholarship be used for?
Teens can receive up to $5,000 to help them achieve a goal.
Tools and courses to develop creativity
Music, audio, and visual equipment
Computers and software
Building fitness, sport or dance skills
Tutors for big exams or school catch up
Courses, coaching, classes, or university
Pursuing a personal interest or social justice causes
…and more!
This scholarship would not just help me financially; it would give me the tools and confidence to keep pursuing the career I’ve always dreamed of, even through one of the toughest times in my life.
To be a finalist is really exciting. It’s exciting to be able to share my story as well, I’ve never had an opportunity like this before. My dream is to make a difference. I want to improve the world, help people and help the animals.
If another family end up going through the cancer journey or currently going through it, I would tell them that there’s other people going through the same thing as you are, and there’s multiple places where you can just chat, like Redkite, and get insight on how to get through it.
Past and present winners and finalist
Stories from inspiring young people who Dared to Dream
Read the stories of the 2025 Dare to Dream Scholarship winners, past winners and finalists below
Dare to Dream Scholarship Winner: Millie’s Story
Aspiring business owner, inventor and childhood cancer survivor Millie, 16, has been named one of the winners of the 2025 Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship.
Dare to Dream Scholarship Winner: Brandan’s Story
Aspiring cameraman Brandan, 17, has been named one of the winners of the 2025 Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship.
Dare to Dream Scholarship Winner: Fergus’s Story
Real Stories Dare to Dream Scholarship Winner: Fergus’s Story Aspiring veterinarian surgeon Fergus, from Perth, has been named one of…
Dare to Dream Scholarship Winner: Victoria’s Story
Victoria’s Story The Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship was established 11 years ago, to inspire young people whose…
Dare to Dream Scholarship finalist: Ben’s Story
Ben’s Story The Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship was established 11 years ago, to inspire young people whose…
Dare to Dream Scholarship Finalist: Kyle’s Story
Kyle, a 17-year-old from the Central Coast of NSW, has been named one of the eight finalists for the Redkite…
Diagnosed with Pilocytic Astrocytoma, a type of brain tumour, aged just three years old, Victoria has overcome significant hardships to get to where she is now, at 17. One week after her diagnosis, she went in for her first brain surgery to debulk the tumour.
“During brain surgery I had a stroke, which left me with left side hemiplegia. This has hugely impacted on my walking – I wear a splint on my left leg – and ability to use my left arm. The surgery also left me with a left hemianopia, so I am not allowed to drive.”
Aspiring veterinarian surgeon Fergus, from Perth, has been named one of the winners of the Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship for 2024.
“My goal overall, at the pinnacle, is that I would love to be a veterinarian surgeon. But my goal for right now is just to walk again, pretty much act like I used to before this all happened.”
Fergus was diagnosed with brain Medulloblastoma, a type of brain tumour, in April 2023. He was in Papua New Guinea with his dad, David, about to begin the Kokoda Track, when he fell quite ill.
Olivia, an 18-year-old from Bonnet Bay, NSW has been named the winner of the Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship.
“When I found out that I was the winner of the Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship, I was speechless. Of course, I hoped to receive the scholarship, but I never expected to actually get it. So, when I did, and was the national winner, I felt very lucky and grateful.”
Diagnosed with a brain tumour at 11 years old, Mitchell had to pack up his life and move to Brisbane for a year of gruelling treatment, leaving his friends, family and school behind. Despite the challenges he has faced, Mitchell is still aiming for the sky and is as determined as ever to bring his dream of becoming a pilot into reality.
It hasn’t been an easy road and Mitchell continues to face personal challenges everyday, but this inspiring team continues to shoot for the stars.
“I couldn’t think of anything better than to be flying free above the clouds,” he says.
Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at the age of 15, Samuel faced two gruelling years of treatment where he missed important schooling, sport, and time with his friends. Despite these challenges, the determined teenager graduated year 12 with an ATAR that gained him entry into a Bachelor of Medical Science at Macquarie University.
2021 saw Samuel face more personal challenges. He had a hip replacement, which forced him to miss out on university, and he lost his dad suddenly, who was one of his biggest supports.
“Despite the challenges in my life, I am more determined than ever to achieve my goal and make my dad proud. Helping others is something I’ve always known I wanted to do and, having experienced cancer, I would love to help people who are in a similar situation as I could relate to them.”
How to apply
You will be able to apply through myRedkite when applications open again in 2026. Here is the information we ask you to submit.
Please make sure to read all of the questions carefully and refer to the FAQs for more information.
Applications open again in 2026!
Keen to apply in 2026? That’s great!
Subscribe below and we will be in touch when applications open again.
Frequently asked questions
The below FAQs cover what you should do before you apply, your application, our requirements, and what happens if you receive a scholarship.
If you have any questions that aren’t covered, please contact us at 1800 733 548 or scholarships@redkite.org.au.
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