Since its inception in 2020, the Kylie Duncan Memorial Scholarship has become a cherished tradition at Coastline, empowering team members to pursue further education and build on Kylie’s legacy of passion, commitment, and growth.

Kylie commenced her career with Coastline in 2005 as a Trainee and rose to the position of Financial Controller. Her commitment and determination saw her attain a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Accounting whilst working full time at Coastline. Tragically, Kylie passed away in 2018 after battling cancer, Kylie was just 32 years of age.

What began as a way to honour Kylie’s extraordinary dedication has now evolved into an important part of Coastline’s culture, offering opportunities for personal and professional development every year. Kylie’s drive and ambition continues to inspire us, and the scholarship reflects the same dedication to growth and learning that she embodied throughout her career.

Remembering the First Recipient

We can’t reflect on this journey without acknowledging the first recipient of the Kylie Duncan Memorial Scholarship, Mitch Clarke. Mitch was awarded the scholarship in 2020, with Kylie’s mother, Julie Duncan, presenting the award on the anniversary of Kylie’s passing.

Though Mitch has since moved on from Coastline, his connection to the scholarship remains an important part of its history. Mitch used the scholarship to pursue a Diploma of Leadership and Management and expressed his deep appreciation, saying:

"I felt incredibly honoured to receive this scholarship in Kylie’s memory. Her dedication and passion for her work meant so much to all of us, and being part of this legacy motivated me to continue my growth. I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity."

A Growing Legacy of Opportunity

Since the scholarship’s launch, it has helped many of our team members achieve their educational goals. Each recipient has used the $5,000 scholarship to further their studies in areas such as leadership, management, accounting, and human resources, advancing their careers while honouring Kylie’s memory.

Here are the recipients who have completed their studies with the help of the scholarship:

• 2020: Mitchell Clarke – Diploma of Leadership and Management
• 2021: Abbie Davey – Diploma of Leadership and Management
• 2021: Henry Gambrill – Bachelor of Business & Enterprise (Accounting)
• 2021: Ally Henderson – Diploma of Human Resources and Management
• 2021: Kathryn Reynolds – Bachelor of Business (Marketing Management - Single subject)
• 2022: Ashleigh Bailey – Diploma of Financial Services
• 2022: Rheanna Meade – Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
• 2023: Alisa Buckley-Stewart – Certificate IV in Financial Services
• 2024: Kristy Wills – Diploma of Human Resources and Management

Each recipient has demonstrated the same passion for learning and personal development that Kylie was known for, and it’s inspiring to see how the scholarship has helped them realise their goals.

Looking to the Future

As we move forward, the Kylie Duncan Memorial Scholarship will continue to support our team members in their professional journeys. Each year, we are proud to see the scholarship make a positive difference in the lives of our staff, helping them take the next step in their careers. We look forward to many more years of celebrating the recipients and the lasting impact of Kylie’s legacy.

The scholarship is announced each year on August 7th, the anniversary of Kylie’s passing. It’s a time to reflect on Kylie’s contribution to Coastline and to look ahead with hope and inspiration, knowing that her spirit continues to guide us.