Scholarship Fund helps 19 young people set off on their tertiary adventure

31 January, 2020

Nineteen young Gunnedah Shire people have today been given a helping hand along the road to their tertiary adventure through the Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund.

The successful applicants were awarded their scholarships at a ceremony at the Civic Theatre in Gunnedah today, with the Clinical Dean at the University of Newcastle’s Department of Rural Health Dr Lauren Cone as the inspiring guest speaker.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the Scholarship Fund was an innovative program that allowed Council to help out a larger number of students to pursue their studies.

“The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund began 17 years ago when Councillor Gae Swain instigated an idea to help the Shire’s young people on their journey to tertiary education.

“Over those years, about 350 scholarships have been awarded, providing a total of more than $300,000 to students embarking on the first step in a career that could see them return in a professional capacity to Gunnedah.

“Together with the sponsors for this program, we are proud to be able to give our young people an easier start to their adventure.”

The successful applicants for the Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund in 2020 are:

Eliza Perkins, Jaxon Holbrook, Caitlin Woods, Lauren Jessup-Little, Bayley Williams, Edwina Carrigan, Emmerson Tull, Maja Heath, Nicola Latham, Taryn Maher, Helena Pease, Darcy Kelly, Phoebe Sumpter, Mary-Anne Stone, Ashleigh Mills, Haylee Murrell, Khobi Devine, Grace Jaeger, and Jemina Moss.

The sponsors who have made the scholarship possible are:

Gunnedah Shire Council, Gunnedah Youth Council, Whitehaven Coal, Shenhua Watermark, PRAMS, Rotary Club of Gunnedah West, Rotary 2380, Forsyths, U3A Namoi Inc, and Karen Carter Chemist.

Caption: Some of the 19 recipients of the Gunnedah Community Scholarships for 2020.

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.