Recognising academic excellence
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Published on 28 June 2019
Blacktown City Council has awarded scholarships to 12 residents, recognising their outstanding academic performance in 2018.
The $1,500 scholarships are open to students who reside in Blacktown City and have completed at least one year of study at a recognised tertiary institution.
“Blacktown is a city that celebrates diversity and talent and this is truly reflected in the age, achievements, backgrounds and study choices of our scholarship recipients,” Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP said.
“The courses being undertaken should serve the Blacktown community extremely well, covering a wide range of employment needs and opportunities in our rapidly developing economy.
“When our scholarship holders complete their studies they will use their knowledge to support and enhance our community.”
One of the recipients, Blacktown resident Scott Lyon is using his studies to adapt to a changing workforce. Scott is a geologist who is re-training at WSU as a physiotherapist following the downturn in the mining industry. He has been awarded the Anne Aquilina Scholarship.
Named in honour of Anne Aquilina, the popular Blacktown physiotherapist and academic and late wife of the first Mayor of Blacktown City Council, Hon. John Aquilina, the scholarship specifically assists students of physiotherapy, sports medicine or health sciences at tertiary level.
The scholarships were awarded on the advice of Council’s independent panel consisting of Dr Bill Palmer, senior lecturer, School of Mathematics and Statistics, Sydney University; Neville Webber, Emeritus Professor, School of Mathematics and Statistics, Sydney University, and retired teacher, Mrs Anne-Marie Kestle.
The full list of Blacktown City Scholarship recipients for 2019:
Emann-Ray Arago from Oakhurst, studying Civil Engineering and Commerce at Sydney University. Varsha Bubathi from Doonside, studying Analytics and International Studies at University of Technology, Sydney. Carl Hemsworth from Blacktown, studying Engineering (Honours) and Science at University of Technology, Sydney. Luke Jones from Ropes Crossing, studying for a Masters of Teaching (Secondary) STEM at Western Sydney University. Mikaela Mandato from Seven Hills, is studying Diagnostic Radiography (Masters) at Sydney University. Christine O’Keefe from Minchinbury is studying Early Childhood learning at TAFE. Erin Oliver from Lalor Park is studying Medical Sciences at Macquarie University. Sophia Osborne from Prospect is studying Midwifery at Western Sydney University. Areum Shin from Doonside is studying Science & Fine Arts at University of New South Wales. Patrick Zhu from Blacktown is studying Vision Science and Clinical Optometry(Masters) at University of New South Wales. Scott Lyon from Blacktown is is studying Science (Physiotherapy) at Western Sydney University. Dayna Fairweather, from Blacktown is studying Dental Medicine at Sydney University.