OzGREEN has shined a spotlight on Bellingen’s Daisy Sully as part of UNESCO’s recent International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
Daisy is one of 25 students from across Australia to be awarded the 2026 Hansen Scholarship, which is regarded as the most generous and broad-based undergraduate scholarship offered at the University of Melbourne.
“Through OzGREEN’s hands-on citizen science and leadership opportunities, Daisy is a regional young woman who discovered her passion for environmental science and is now pursuing a STEM future,” OzGREEN said.
“From Bellingen to Melbourne, Daisy Sully’s journey shows the power of mentoring women and girls into science.”
Daisy’s love of science is partly inspired by involvement in OzGREEN’s Bellingen Riverwatch program- the largest water quality monitoring citizen science program in NSW and the largest macroinvertebrate monitoring citizen science program in Australia.
Growing up in Bellingen, Daisy was already thriving in a community rich in creativity.
“It’s always been so great for the arts, culture, music,” Daisy said.
“For me, those passions have always been really well fostered here. But in terms of STEM, it’s hard to find opportunities – and some people don’t even know what STEM means.”
For years Daisy imagined herself as an artist or musician. She painted, played guitar and even dreamed of studying at Melbourne University’s Arts faculty. But everything shifted in Year 10 when she designed her first independent science project on plant transpiration.
“I remember just going like, oh wait – this is actually really fun. I loved it.”
That curiosity opened new doors – first through school science, and then through hands-on experiences with OzGREEN.
“Having opportunities to be involved in community events whilst gaining exposure into citizen science has been greatly inspiring and so much fun!”
Her journey continued at Riveryouthfest, where Daisy ran a waterbug stall.
“I didn’t realise how much organisation it takes – even just to run one stall. But I loved it! It felt creative, and it was a chance to lead something and use my own ideas.”
Another formative experience came during a day OzGREEN coordinated for Daisy to spend a day on the on the Bellinger River with Water Scientist, Nakia Belmer, and his team.
“It was so cool because suddenly, these concepts I’d learnt at school – equilibrium, biodiversity, oxygen levels in water – were all becoming practical. It was such a spark moment. All that bookwork came to life.”
Spending time with young environmental scientists also gave her a glimpse of the pathway ahead.
“I was able to ask about their uni experiences and what it’s like being a woman in STEM. It made me feel like, yes, I can do this too.”
Daisy’s STEM career will now be supported with a full scholarship for the duration of their bachelor’s degree at the University of Melbourne, alongside a living allowance, mentoring and pastoral care, academic, cultural, career and other development opportunities, and free accommodation in the purpose-built student residence Little Hall.