Louie pays it forward

Louie Liu’s journey from crime to care exemplifies personal transformation and community impact, aligning with Charles Sturt’s advocacy for a more just and fair society.

After a troubled youth marked by crime and incarceration, Louie’s time in gaol became a turning point where he utilised education and rehabilitation programs to rebuild his life, including a Cert IV in cooking.

After his release, Louie furthered his education by studying exercise science followed by physiotherapy, he spent nine years with Charles Sturt in total, eventually completing his qualifications to become a registered physiotherapist.

In 2024, Louie partnered with Charles Sturt to establish the New Start Reformer Scholarship – an opportunity for formerly incarcerated students to access the financial and social support that had been crucial to his own rehabilitation.

“Education created a world worth living in for me, that is why I have approached Charles Sturt to set up the scholarship, with the intention to give both a financial and morale boost to those who are facing similar challenges,” Louie said.