The Musical Moments Trust was established in memory of an inspirational little boy who, even while undergoing treatment and facing challenges far bigger than any child ever should, met the world with a remarkable and steady joy. He had a way of staying open to life. Of noticing it. Of choosing it. His favourite colour was yellow, a detail that somehow feels exactly right, and music became one of the ways he held onto brightness when so much around him was heavy.
Whether he was singing or dancing or simply listening, music gave him a place to rest his happiness. It lifted him. It carried him. It brought the kind of smile that did not ignore what was hard, but lived gently alongside it. And in that way, he did not just love music. He used it as a small daily act of hope, and as a way of giving joy back to everyone who was lucky enough to be near him.
Scholarship Overview
The Musical Moments Trust scholarship is offered to pre-school and primary school aged children living with cancer, to fund positive musical experiences for they as they move through their treatment and beyond. Past recipients have enjoyed private and group music lessons, home visits from a music therapist, musical instruments and the chance to create and record a song with a musician.
In addition to the scholarship, Challenge encourages schools across Victoria to participate in A Day in May – an annual fundraising campaign for primary schools, kindergartens, and childcare centres. All proceeds from this event go directly to the Musical Moments Trust, enabling Challenge to continue offering these scholarships and ensuring that children living with cancer can access music-based activities. With a cost of $500 to provide one Musical Moments Scholarship, initiatives like ‘A Day in May’ are crucial to sustaining this program.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Musical Moments Trust Scholarship, your child must:
- Be a Challenge member diagnosed with cancer or a life-threatening blood disorder
- Be aged between 0 and 12 years (inclusive)
- Not have previously received a Musical Moments Trust Scholarship.
Scholarship Benefits
Past recipients have benefitted from private and group music lessons, home visits from a music therapist, musical instruments, and the opportunity to create and record a song with a professional musician.
If you would like to apply for the Musical Moments Trust Scholarship, you can complete the application online or download the form to handwrite your submission, and then send it to us at mail@challenge.org.au.
