Cara Brackstone, a second year cadet with the Salvation Army, has been selected to receive Dimension Data’s Steve Ross Scholarship. The Scholarship, which is in its third year and provides $15,000 annually, allocates $7,500 each year to support a cadet at The Salvation Army’s Booth College, and the balance to support education for deserving applicants from amongst Dimension Data’s Australian staff. Steve Ross was a Dimension Data stalwart who, over 13 years with the company, shaped its Learning Solutions business (now DDLS) and established it as a market leader for IT training. His legacy is remembered through this perpetual scholarship.
Cara is the second Salvation Army cadet to receive the Dimension Data scholarship. Joanne Catalano received the inaugural scholarship in 2009 and 2010, and graduated as a Salvation Army Officer in January 2011. She has now been posted to Fairfield, NSW and oversees the Salvation Army Centre, church and Community Welfare centre for the area.
Steve Nola, Australian CEO of Dimension Data is proud of the support the Scholarship provides for the cadets at the Salvation Army College.
“This scholarship reflects Steve Ross’s belief in the power of personal enthusiasm and positive energy. He was a fantastic role model, and his values and character are continued in the good work of the Salvation Army cadets and Dimension Data people that receive this scholarship in his name,” he said.
Major Gavin Watts, Principal at Booth College, explains why Cara was selected for the cadetship.
“Cara has demonstrated that she has an unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the community. She has been involved with the Salvation Army for many years, and has constantly shown that she has a clear desire to drive positive action. She also has a clear commitment to her education and we believe that this cadetship will be a vital asset in helping her to concentrate on her studies and complete the course.”
Cara joined the Salvation Army as a teenager and, after completing her BA in Social Work at the University of Queensland, she was keen to focus on the issue of long-term homelessness. Prior to joining the Salvation Army College, Cara worked at Pindari Womens hostel and The Salvation Army Indigenous Ministries [SAIM]. Whilst at SAIM, Cara played a key role in researching a developing model to address long-term homelessness.
“Since joining the Salvation Army when I was young I wanted to be a Salvation Army Officer. I am very passionate about wanting to be a positive influence on the issues facing the homeless, and the support from Dimension Data’s Steve Ross Scholarship will help me to graduate as a Salvation Army Officer and be available to make a difference for good,” explains Cara.
The significant financial support of the Dimension Data Steve Ross Scholarship means that Cara can now concentrate on her studies. Without any other means of support she believes that she would have struggled to complete the course.
“I am extremely fortunate to have received this generous support from Dimension Data,” she says. “Completing this course as full time study without any funding would have been incredibly difficult. This scholarship enables me to follow the career path that I’ve dreamed of since I was a teenager,” she added.
About Dimension Data’s Steve Ross Scholarship
The Steve Ross Scholarship provides $15,000 annually, with half allocated each year to support a cadet undertaking the two-year residential officer training course at Booth College, the Salvation Army's education and training body in the Australia Eastern Territory. The balance of the Scholarship supports further education for deserving applicants from amongst Dimension Data’s Australian staff.
Affectionately known by all as ‘Chipper’, Steve Ross was a Dimension Data stalwart who, over 13 years with the company, shaped its Learning Solutions business (now DDLS) and established it as a market leader for IT training. He achieved this through his energy and passion for the industry, and his optimism and boundless enthusiasm for the business and the people at Dimension Data. He was also a passionate advocate and supporter of the Salvation Army and his legacy will be remembered through this perpetual scholarship.
About Dimension Data
Founded in 1983, Dimension Data plc is an ICT services and solutions provider that uses its technology expertise, global service delivery capability, and entrepreneurial spirit to accelerate the business ambitions of its clients. Dimension Data is a member of the NTT Group. www.dimensiondata.com