Congratulations to Community Scholarship students

February 10, 2021

Gunnedah Shire Council this week congratulated 17 students who will get a headstart on their learning journey through the Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund.

The students will start their tertiary studies in a range of areas with the support of the scholarship to assist with costs including textbooks, relocation and travel, living expenses or a contribution towards tuition fees.

Gunnedah Shire Councillor Gae Swain, who was instrumental in starting the fund 18 years ago, said it was wonderful to be able to help a group of fresh faces starting on their lifetime adventures.

“The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund is a one-of-a-kind program that brings Council and local businesses and groups together to ensure our young people have every opportunity to make a difference in their chosen profession,” Cr Swain said.

“Our country kids have achieved many goals over the years. We would love to see some of these students return as doctors or nurses, or to work in a whole range of areas in the Gunnedah Shire.

“Over the years, more than 365 scholarships have been awarded, worth a total of more than $320,000. It shows the genuine support the community has for our young people.”

The guest speaker for the presentation was Chelsea Mitchell, a previous scholarship recipient who graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. Chelsea is now a vet at Gunnedah Veterinary Hospital.

This year, the successful applicants receive a total of $22,250. The successful applicants for the Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund in 2021 are:

• Zachary Bower, Leah Broekman, Edwina Carrigan, Lacey Davis, Paige Gainsford, Tyson Hubbard, Grace Jaeger, Ineke Jones, Holly Miller, Ashleigh Mills, Lucy Moore, Paige Murray, Kaitlin Newbery, Eliza Perkins, Chelsea Willey, Bayley Williams, and Arielle Worthington.

The recipients of the Dr Grahame Deane Scholarship for Medical-related Studies were Kaitlin Newbery and Arielle Worthington, and Paige Gainsford was awarded the PRAMS Award for Nursing or Midwifery.

The sponsors who have made the scholarship possible are:

• Whitehaven Coal, Gunnedah West Rotary Club, PRAMS, Forsyths and Gunnedah Shire Council.

The fund is open to local students under 25 who want to further their training and education at university, TAFE, or an accredited training organisation.

Caption: Mayor Jamie Chaffey (left), Cr Gae Swain (right) and guest speaker Chelsea Mitchell (second right) with some of the recipients of the 2021 Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund.

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100.