31 January 2018
Twenty two local young people in Gunnedah looking to pursue tertiary studies have received a helping hand from the Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund.
More than $22,000 was distributed to 22 local young people undertaking tertiary studies in 2018 at a ceremony at The Civic on Tuesday afternoon.
Special guests at the ceremony included Dr Grahame Deane and former scholarship recipient Aylish Flannery, who explained the importance of community support and “giving back to the community who supported you”.
Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund Committee Chair, Councillor Gae Swain said the Fund is designed to ease financial pressures on students and their families for the future benefit of rural communities.
“The Gunnedah community as a whole should be very proud as we support our very own students in taking their first steps out into the wider world,” Cr Swain said.
“In order to keep opportunities like this going for future generations of students, it is integral that we keep our passion for the cause alive. We are looking at ways to raise funds and the profile of this initiative for its long-term sustainability and urge anyone interested to contact Gunnedah Shire Council.
“Congratulations to this year’s recipients and best wishes for the future.”
The Fund is made up of the generosity of sponsors from the community and fundraising events throughout the year.
“We would also like to thank all of the sponsors for their ongoing support of the Fund, without your support this would not be possible,” Cr Swain said.
Since the fund’s inception 15 years ago, over $330,000 across more than 350 scholarships has been awarded to local students.
The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund Committee congratulates the following recipients:
| NAME | SCHOOL & COURSE |
| Issabell Hunt | Issabell completed the HSC at St Mary’s College and will be undertaking a Bachelor of Paramedicine at Charles Sturt University |
| Amy Vincent | Amy completed the HSC at Carinya Christian School and will be commencing a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Newcastle |
| Sophie Perkins | Sophie completed the HSC at St Mary’s College and will be undertaking a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) at the University of Newcastle |
| Matiese John | Matiese completed the HSC at St Mary’s College and will undertake a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Newcastle |
| Kathleen O’Donnell | Kathleen completed the HSC at St Mary’s College and will be commencing a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) at the University of New England |
| Rebecca Etheridge | Rebecca completed the HSC at St Mary’s College and will be commencing a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Charles Sturt University |
| Amelia Dunlop | Amelia completed the HSC at Carinya Christian School and will be commencing a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) at the University of Newcastle |
| Clayton Small | Clayton completed the HSC at St Mary’s College and will be commencing a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of New South Wales |
| Kustiani Tuckerman | Kustiani completed the HSC at Gunnedah High School and will be commencing a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Wollongong |
| Ashleigh Burns | Ashleigh completed the HSC at St Mary’s College and will be commencing a Bachelor of Accounting at Charles Sturt University |
| Whitney Mansfield | Whitney completed the HSC at St Mary’s College and will be commencing a Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws at the University of New England |
| Emma Kennedy | Emma completed the HSC at St Mary’s College and will be commencing a Bachelor of Business at the University of New England |
| Jarrad Turner | Jarrad completed the HSC at St Mary’s College and will be commencing a Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Mechatronics) at the University of Newcastle |
| Gailina Stone | Gailina completed the HSC at Carinya Christian School and will be commencing a Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Business at the University of New England |
| Annerley Fitzsimmons | Annerley completed the HSC at St Mary’s College and will commence a Bachelor of Primary Education |
| Larissa Whelan | Larissa completed the HSC at St Mary’s College will be commencing a Bachelor of Primary Education at the University of Wollongong |
| Bianca Day | Bianca completed the HSC at Calrossy Anglican School and will be commencing a Bachelor of Primary Education at the University of New England |
| Alison Gosper | Alison completed the HSC at Carinya Christian School and will be undertaking a Diploma of Building Design through TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute |
| Abby Jerrett | Abby completed the HSC at St Mary’s College and will be commencing a Bachelor of Creative Industries at the University of Newcastle |
| Carrie Woods | Carrie completed the HSC at St Mary’s College and is studying a Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design at Charles Sturt University |
| Emily-Jane Hollingworth | Emily completed the HSC at St Mary’s College and is studying a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Newcastle |
| Laura Whitney | Laura completed the HSC at St Mary’s College and will be commencing a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at the University of Newcastle |
Photo Caption: Twenty-two local students following tertiary studies in 2018 were awarded scholarships from the Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund.
ENDS
Media Contact: Ashley Gardner 6740 2100.
