BELLA AINSWORTH SCHOLARSHIP
BELLA AINSWORTH PERPETUAL LIFT OFF EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
Bella Ainsworth was a passionate community champion that loved seeing young people achieve their dreams and fulfill their potential.
A Shepparton local, Bella’s enthusiasm, talent and support of community projects has seen her become a much loved and cherished local advocate.
With Bella’s diagnosis of a rare form of cancer in 2023, just weeks after the birth of her son Saf, friend Fiona Smolenaars approached Bella with an idea; to gift a scholarship in Bella’s name to a young person in Shepparton who needs support to go on and achieve their further education aspirations.
Bella’s response, “why the hell not!”
Fiona Smolenaars raised $100,000 for the Bella Ainsworth Perpetual Lift Off Scholarship to ensure this gift to the community in Bella’s name is available to a Goulburn Valley student every year - forever more.
Bella is pictured above with her husband Mitch and son Saf.
Applications for study in 2026 are NOW OPEN. Please view the guidelines and apply online via the Lift Off Education Scholarships here.
The inaugural Bella Ainsworth Perpetual Scholarship was awarded in 2025, presented by Bella's husband Mitch and her Dad Garry to Denni Bathman.
“It is an immense honour to be the recipient of the inaugural Bella Ainsworth Perpetual Lift Off Scholarship. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been one of the many young people whose life was touched by Bella’s guidance and mentorship. I met her in 2021 through the Greater Shepparton "Young Champs" Youth Council, where she quickly became a source of encouragement and support. Her belief in me was a constant source of motivation. This scholarship will greatly relieve the financial pressure of university, allowing me to focus on my studies and career goals without distraction. Receiving this scholarship is an incredible opportunity, and I am committed to making the most of it by continuing to give back to my community.” – Denni Bathman
Donate to the Bella Ainsworth Perpetual Lift Off Scholarship and support a young person to achieve their education aspirations.
Thank You To Those That Donated to the Bella Ainsworth Perpetual Scholarship:
Individuals -
Jim and Angela Andreadis
Seema Abdullah
Melissa Amy
Georgia Bacon
Brittany Barnard
Kane Barri
Sam Birrell
Lynda Bruce
Georgina Carroll
Terri Cowley
Carrie Donaldson
Hugh Drum
Shiromali Ekanayake
Claire Ewart-Kennedy
Zane Foott
Sally Graham
Natasha Grant
Elle Griffin
Hillary Grigg
Cheryl Hammer
Jacquie Haw
Nicholas Healey
Graham and Dawn Hill
Kylie Johnson
Fiona Johnson
Carmel and Peter Johnson
Amelia Keath
Fiona Le Gassick
Jamie Lea
Jewels Lodewijk
Warwick Long
Owen McCarron
Asten McKenzie
Declan Napier
Treez Nicholson
Maya O’Brien
O'Connor Family
Kate Pendergast
Georgina Poort
Kate Radevski
Stephanie Rees
Nicole Reynolds
Helen Rodd
Leah Ross
Tom Saxton
Myf Saxton
Kathryn Sims
Fiona Smolenaars
Shabab Sulejman
Karen Utber
Bonnie Weidenbach
Belinda Whitelaw
Lana Young
Business -
CAF Consulting
Corbetts Chartered Accountants & Advisors
Goulburn Valley Grammar School
Jacobson’s Bus line
Jones Mitchell Legal
Liam Howley Racing
Lions Club of Dookie
Longleat Wines
Margaret Attwood Trust
Phillips Wine Cellars
PSC Griffith Goodall
PTP - Perta Thomson Partners
Rotary Club of Mooroopna
Soroptimist International of Shepparton
The Aussie Hotel
The Shepparton Brewery
The Woolshed
Thrive Group
Watters Electrical
Thank you also to the many other individuals and businesses not listed here that have donated however wish to remain anonymous.