Community Spirit Bursary recipients announced

Six outstanding high school graduates from across the region have been recognised for their excellence as part of this year’s Western Downs Regional Council Community Spirit Bursary.

This is the fourth year Council has awarded the Community Spirit Bursaries to outstanding school leavers.

Spokesperson for Finance and Corporate Services Councillor Ian Rasmussen said Council’s Community Spirit Bursary Awards provided support to outstanding young professionals to kickstart their career.

“Our region is full of outstanding, hardworking young people who really embody what it means to be a part of our community,” Cr Rasmussen said.

“For our graduating Year 12 students, going on to further study can be costly, so Council wanted to give back to those star students who not only performed well in school, but have gone above and beyond in their local communities.”

The recipients are carefully selected by their school Principal using criteria including academic performance, contribution to the community, participation in their school community, and tertiary eligibility.

In addition to a $1,000 award to support tertiary study, the 2019 Bursary recipients are offered paid work experience with Council.

Dalby State High School Student Mackayla James said she was delighted to be one of six Community Spirit Bursary recipients for 2019 and looked forward to taking up work with Council in the new year.

“It’s really humbling knowing all my hard work has been recognised and I feel so honoured to have been recognised by Council and my school community through the Community Spirit Bursary,” Mackayla said.

“I am studying a Bachelor of Creative Industries Majoring in Theatre and Performance, with dreams of one day getting into producing or directing.

“I’m excited to be undertaking work experience with Council in the new year and I look forward to learning new things and uncovering new opportunities for professional development.”

Our Lady of the Southern Cross College Bursary Winner Gabrielle Parker said the Award would support her future studies in Bachelor of Social Work.

“Involving myself in the community has really inspired me to pursue a career in social work – particularly in child protection,” Gabrielle said.

“This Bursary is a great opportunity and I am excited to see where my upcoming work with Council might take me.”

Community Spirit Bursary Award Winners 2019

Savanna Evans – Chinchilla State High School

Carla Groenewald – Miles State High School

Mackayla James – Dalby State High School

Dakota Ey – Tara Shire State College

Gabrielle Parker – Our Lady of the Southern Cross College

Elijah Evans – Dalby Christian College

For more information about Council’s employment and development opportunities, check out Council’s website: www.wdrc.qld.gov.au

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