Twins peak thanks to bursary

Twins Peter and Cynthia Dupes are just like any other first year Bachelor of Commerce students – eager to learn, discovering a love of coffee and mastering the balancing act of university life.

They are also the co-recipients of one of the 2014 Commerce Opportunity Bursaries, made available through the generosity of an anonymous alumni donor.

The bursaries are available to Victorian residents who apply for entry into the Bachelor of Commerce. They assist high-achieving students who are in financial need, or are otherwise disadvantaged, and form part of the University of Melbourne commitment to educating tomorrow’s leaders.

Mr and Ms Dupes graduated from Lalor Secondary College in 2013 with the same goal – to undertake the Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Melbourne. Mr Dupes loves maths and finance-based subjects, while his sister is interested in business and legal studies.

The twins have been in the same class all the way through from Prep to Year 12, so it seems only natural that their University experience will also be shared. The University of Melbourne had long been their number one preference, however the financial pressures on their single mother was a concern.

“We always wanted to go to the University of Melbourne, but didn’t want to put the strain on Mum,” Ms Dupes says.

“If we got the marks we still would have chosen Melbourne, it just would have been financially difficult.”

Ms Dupes felt “elated” upon receiving the scholarship email but then instantly disappointed: “I really wanted Peter to get it.”

After reading through the email, Ms Dupes discovered the scholarship was to be shared with her brother. Their Mum’s reaction was “speechless ... then tears!”.

Ms Dupes says they have always shared milestones.

“We have never been separated, we were always in the same class, we have the same friendship group – to not share the scholarship would have been weird.”

The twins’ transition into university life has been eye opening.

“All of a sudden it feels like you are competing with thousands,” Mr Dupes says.

But the twins agree that sharing the Melbourne experience with “like-minded people who are here to learn” is – along with being accountable for their own success – the most rewarding aspect. 

Ms Dupes says “Staying on top of things and not falling behind has been one of the most difficult aspects, but the great independence we now have makes it all worth it.”

The multicultural cohort is also opening up their world and the twins revel in the opportunity to increase their international networks.

The twins use their bursary – funded by Believe: the Campaign for the University of Melbourne – to help with the costs of textbooks, commuting expenses and with purchasing laptops to assist them in lectures and tutorials. While they still tutor high school students, the bursary means they don’t need to seek further employment – something for which they are extremely grateful.

“We are here to learn and not having to work part-time means we can focus solely on our studies,” Mr Dupes says.

When asked what they would like to pass on to their donor or potential donors, Ms Dupes says: “We can’t express how grateful we are. Every single member of our family wants to thank our donor.”

www.campaign.unimelb.edu.au