A Phillip Island dad said studying at TAFE has given him a light at the end of a dark tunnel.

Wayne Darling is currently completing a Certificate III in Pathology Collection at Chisholm’s Frankston campus.

He was awarded a scholarship through the Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation following a series of personal difficulties, which began with the recent passing of his mother.

“I made some bad choices and ending up losing my driving licence and then my job. I was in a really dark place,” said Wayne.

“I went through a lot and ended up with some serious health issues which left me partially disabled.

“I wasn’t in a great place mentally, but getting this scholarship has seriously changed my life. It was like a light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

As a single parent of four, Wayne found the course not only helped him find a pathway out of his personal difficulties, but also provided new social opportunities for him.

“I’ve met some really great people at Chisholm, not only my peers but also my teachers. This has been so good for me socially.”

When he finishes his course this year, Wayne hopes to work at the local clinical labs on Philip Island, where he lives.

“I really want to give back to the local community. It’s hard to express just how thankful I am for this opportunity. It has been life changing.

“It’s taken me from a place where I felt worthless, and made me feel valued. It has created a pathway to dignity. The least I can do is try to give back to the community,” he said.

Since its inception in 2007, the Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation has created life-changing opportunities for a diverse group of over 2600 students. The Foundation’s aim is to help and support members of the community affected by personal and financial hardship, by providing them with high quality, vocational educational qualifications, at Chisholm Institute.

“We’re proud to have been able to support thousands of people through our Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation scholarship program,” said Farrah Buckland, Executive Officer, Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation.

“The whole process is incredibly rewarding as we’re able to see how the opportunity for education can open doors for people and truly change their lives, for the better,” she said.

The Foundation is funded from a number of sources including philanthropic grants, donations from private, public and community groups such as Rotary and Lions Clubs in the region as well as through fundraising events.