Meet the 2025 Redkite & Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship winners

From Cancer to Courage: Meet the winners of the 2025 Redkite & Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship

Two remarkable young Australians, 17-year-old Brandan a budding filmmaker from Queensland currently undergoing cancer treatment, and 16-year-old Millie from New South Wales turning recovery into a sensory fashion business, have been named winners of the 2025 Redkite & Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship.

Now in its 12th year, the national program helps young people aged 13 to 18, among the 20,000 Australians living with long-term impacts of childhood cancer, rebuild their futures with the winners receiving $5,000 in support from Coles and its generous customers. *1

Brandan, from Cairns, is undergoing treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in Brisbane. He has been separated from his twin sister, family, and friends. Despite the upheaval, he has found purpose in film and photography.

“Cancer’s taken me out of school and away from friends, but thanks to this scholarship, I can start chasing my dream of making films,” said Brandan.

His mother, Kylie, added: “Without this scholarship, it would be harder to do this. He’ll now have all the tools to be able to catch up and be back on track.”

Millie, from Sydney, completed treatment for stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma earlier this year, on top of living with ADHD, severe dyslexia, and anxiety.

“Treatment threw me from working so hard to tolerate the school environment and social life, into a noisy, brightly lit sensory overload of oncology clinics,” Millie said.

Millie’s dream is to create a line of sensory-friendly clothing and fidget products for neurodivergent teens. With her scholarship, she will design custom hoodies, take sewing lessons, and launch her own small business.

Her mother, Sally added: “It’s okay not to be a stereotypical “normal” teenager. Millie hopes she can show other teenagers they can lower their masks and be themselves and they can create their own destiny.” 

Support for life beyond treatment

“The end of childhood cancer treatment doesn’t mean the end of its impact,” said Redkite CEO, Monique Keighery.

“The Redkite & Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship recognises the resilience and ambition of young cancer patients and survivors, providing extra support so they can look to the future with confidence. And it is made possible thanks to the generosity and care of Coles team members and customers across Australia.”

Brad Gorman, Coles General Manager Commercial of Bakery, Dairy & Frozen and one of the judges on the 2025 Dare to Dream panel, said Coles was extremely proud of its longstanding partnership with Redkite.

“Each year, the stories of these young Dare to Dream Scholarship recipients inspire our team members and customers. We’re proud this partnership has already helped hundreds of young people affected by childhood cancer, and we can’t wait to see what Brandan and Millie achieve.”

For families navigating life after childhood cancer, the Redkite & Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship is a lifeline of hope and a powerful reminder that their future is still full of possibility.

*1 Late effects experienced by Australians diagnosed with cancer during childhood – Cancer Council Queensland / Childhood Cancer Survivor Bank – Kids Cancer Alliance