Dare to Dream Scholarship Finalist: Brianna’s Story

Aspiring mechanic Brianna, 15, has been named a finalist in the 2025 Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship.  

“My dream is to be a mechanic. I have had a passion for cars for three years now, you could ask just about anyone, and they would tell you that I live and breathe cars.” 

Brianna, from the Hunter Region of NSW, was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia (APML) in late 2024, after weeks of body pains, skin rashes and a bloody nose that wouldn’t stop bleeding. Brianna and her mum Shantelle weren’t getting any helpful answers from the doctor on three separate visits. 

“And then one morning, it was early hours in the morning, I woke up and I started coughing up blood. It was pretty scary.” 

They went to the doctor again, and from there were taken to hospital for more tests. On Halloween, they were given the diagnosis. Brianna spent a month in hospital at the beginning, unable to come home and see her six siblings and Nan. Her dad Steven, who lives in Sydney, stayed in the hospital with her.  

“My siblings and I are always there for each other, so when I couldn’t see them I didn’t feel like myself. I would call them all the time but it didn’t feel the same as being with them in person.” 

Brianna had nine months of treatment which she completed in July.  

Brianna’s Inspiration

Brianna’s inspiration behind her love of cars comes from her dad Steven.  

“My first time working on cars was with my dad, I was helping him fix an oil leak on his 1966 HR Holden and that was just the start for my love on working on cars.” 

Brianna’s uncle is the Head Crew Chief of a drag racing team and brought Brianna into the team.  

“I’ve been with the crew for three years now. I’m basically a part of the team.” 

“I go out and I help with them as much as I can. I work on the engine if they need help, whatever I can do.”  

Brianna’s Dream

Brianna’s Dare to Dream Scholarship will fund the start of her mechanic career, going towards a tool kit and a mechanics course at TAFE.  

“Working on cars and going to the dragway is my passion, so when I had to stop for treatment, it broke me. Any chance I get I’m either working on cars with my dad or I’m at the dragway helping out with the crew. 

“Not being able to do anything with cars for nine months made me realise just how much more I want to make being a mechanic my career.” 

Her parents are her biggest supporters. 

“It’s great. It’s good to see her focused on something she wants to do, I love it,” Shantelle said.  

“I have watched my daughter grow to become a very determined person…the passion she has to work on cars,” Steven said. 

Brianna will start work experience at a local mechanic soon and hopes to gain an apprenticeship so she can start building her career.  

“It would be my dream to be able to make my hobby into something I can do every day as a job, I’m looking forward to learning more about the car industry.” 

She wants other young people to think about the Dare to Dream Scholarship as a step towards their dream. 

“I would tell them to go for it. You never know if you’ll get it or not. And it’s worth it, because it will help them a lot in life, starting off their career.” 

Since 2013, Redkite and Coles have awarded 450  Dare to Dream Scholarships worth over $800,000 to support young Australians whose aspirations and goals have been impacted by their cancer diagnosis.