Cameron Saliba has been awarded a prestigious Vice Chancellor's Elite Bond University Scholarship. PHOTO: Cavan Flynn
By Jessica Borten
Work experience with a local optometrist proved an eye-opening experience for Cameron Saliba, unlocking the Marymount College student’s passion for business.
Now, Mr Saliba is taking the next step, after receiving a prestigious Vice Chancellor’s Elite Scholarship from Bond University.
Nine students from across Australia were awarded the fully-paid scholarship that recognises academic achievement, extra-curricular involvement and contribution to the wider community.
Mr Saliba discovered his passion for business through work experience at Russell Zahn Optometry in 2018.
“Receiving hands-on experience as a 16-year-old in a workplace that was an amalgamation of health and business enabled me to better understand my competing aspirations at the time,” Mr Saliba said.
“I was initially interested in a career in medicine however, Russell (Zahn)’s success in building the optometry practice ended up intriguing me more than all the fancy medical equipment.
“This kickstarted my interest in learning more about commerce and business and jumpstarted my desire to one day start a business of my own.”
Mr Saliba will study law and commerce, and alongside working on his double degree, he hopes to build a small tutoring business to provide high school students support through the ATAR system.
“While completing Year 12, I noticed many people struggled finding quality tutors that worked for them.
“I realised I enjoyed teaching and had tutored before and that there was a demand for the skills and knowledge I had developed.
“It’s still in its infancy but I am looking forward to growing the business over the next few years,” Mr Saliba said.
In his senior year at Marymount College, Mr Saliba filled a variety of leadership roles including Music Captain, House Spirit Captain and acted as a board member of the Marymount College Leadership Team.