Longevity Paying it Forward

As many of you may know, Longevity Director Jarrat Wood’s journey from the rural town of Gunnedah to the bustling city of Sydney was motivated by his dream of pursuing a degree in Exercise Physiology. However, what you may not be aware of is the incredible support system that helped him turn this dream into a reality. Without the aid of scholarships and the tight-knit touch football community, the financial pressures of city life might have forced Jarrat to abandon his pursuit and return to his home.

Thanks to Jarrat’s experience, he has always aspired to give back to those facing similar challenges to what he did. So together with a group of alumni that have been close friends for over 20years, the UNSW when Touch Football Leadership Scholarship has been founded and awarded for the first time this year.

It has always been in the back of my mind that if and when the opportunity arises, I could give back to a student in the same way that others gave to me when I needed it the most. The group of donors (listed below run full) were social and financial supports for me in my early years in Sydney and I wasn’t surprised that they all wanted to be involved in the initiative once we started discussing it as a group.

This has resulted in Emily Thomson being awarded the scholarship in its inaugural year. The group of donors (including Jarrat) had the pleasure of meeting Emily recently. This scholarship not only offers financial assistance but also a network of mentors and supporters who genuinely care about the success and well-being of the recipients. 

I couldn’t think of a more deserving person and she is a credit to the rural and indigenous and other communities that she represents.

Congratulations to Emily on being the first ever recipient of the UNSW Touch Football Leadership Scholarship. Well done also to Jarrat Wood and the other donors for being instrumental in this initiative. This award serves as a reminder that we all have the potential to make a difference in someone else’s life. Something that Longevity Exercise Physiology does on a daily basis with our clients as we Give the Gift of Longevity through exercise.

Donors for the UNSW Touch Football Leadership Award: Christian Frost; Jarrat Wood; Chris Wang; John Mouawad; Christopher Jonson; Daniel Rushworth; Anthony Nader; Gurmesh Singh; Jamieson Chan; Inshan Sheriff; Philip Birrell.

Written By Georgia Wassall