Mr Lourigan, who is just about to graduate from a theatre media course at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, was recently award the Blair Milan Scholarship. 

The memorial scholarship is named after the son of famous Australian chef – Lyndey Milan. 

Blair studied the theatre media course at CSU in Bathurst before graduating in 2003, but tragedy struck in 2011 when his life was suddenly cut short by Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. 

His family decided to name a scholarship in his honour at the university so students could not only keep is memory alive, but also his love for the the acting world. 

“It’s such a huge honour … I was pretty shocked when I found out I would be receiving the scholarship,” Mr Lourigan said. 

“For me it is a really big deal not just because of how it will help, but because of what the scholarship stands for.”

Mr Lourigan is a former Leeton High School student where he enjoyed drama, which only grew his passion for the theatre and arts world. 

He said the scholarship would help him to continue that dream following his graduation. 

“For me, it’s like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders,” Mr Lourigan said. 

“I’ve pretty much always had to worry about finances while studying, so this is a huge help. 

“It means if I have an audition in Sydney, I can get there. If I want to create my own production, I can do it. 

“It’s an amazing feeling.”

Following his graduation later this year, Mr Lourigan plans to continue to base himself in Bathurst and see where his hard work takes him. 

He would like to get a taste of everything. “I’m not really wanting to lock myself into anything,” Mr Lourigan said. 

“I want to act, write, produce, direct … the possibilities are endless. That’s the beauty of the theatre media course. The opportunities are there.”

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