Bega’s Jamie is the recipient of a Variety Heart Scholarship, awarded to Australian children with an existing talent living with a disability, chronic illness or financial hardship.

The scholarship is intended to help him overcome barriers to reach his full potential playing the tenor horn.

Two and half years ago, Jamie picked up a tenor horn and hasn’t looked back. He plays regularly as a member of the Bega District Band and rehearses his instrument at home as part of his education with his mother and homeschool teacher, Christina Barnes. 

“My new horn is ten times better than the old one, plus I don’t need to borrow it from the band anymore, it’s all my own,” Jamie said. 

“Now I don’t need to rely on someone else to play because this horn will always be mine.” 

Jamie will take his new tenor horn on a tour of Singapore, Germany, Belgium and France with the Canberra Brass Band. He is the youngest member of the band selected for the tour. 

About $2000 from the Variety Heart Scholarship will go toward funding Jamies trip. Ms Barnes, who is joining her son on the international tour, said the experience would be impossible without it. 

“It’s very exciting for us, but it’s also very stressful, because of our current financial situation we had to rely almost completely on grants and donations to make this happen for Jamie,” she said. 

Ms Barnes is still working toward financing her own travel as Jamie cannot travel overseas without her.

Variety CEO David Sexton said the Variety Heart Scholarships can help remove some of the financial barriers which prevent kids from pursuing their dreams and exploring their full potential.

More than 215 children have been assisted by the Variety Heart Scholarships program since it began in 2014. Scholarships are awarded up to the value of $5,000 and can be used towards developing the recipient’s talent.