Country Education Foundation of the Namoi celebrating 20 years

Country Education Foundation of the Namoi (CEF Namoi) is preparing to celebrate its 20th anniversary later this year.

Founded in 2003, CEF Namoi was one of a few local foundations of the national CEF network to form in the early 2000s, after the first, in Boorowa, was established in 1993 by national board members Julia and Nick Burton Taylor.

CEF Namoi has since awarded over 270 individual grants valued at $364,945.

CEF Namoi chair Cara Stoltenberg said the Namoi district had been a great support of the foundation, and she attributed this to its success over the last 20 years.

“We are 20 years old this year, and we could not have done it without the support of our local community, including other community groups, so thank you,” she said.

“We could not do this without the continued support of very generous local donors, businesses, clubs, our committee and the community in general.”

“I think we are extremely lucky to live in a country community such as the Namoi.

“Everyone always seems happy to lend a hand, or money to help out their community.”

With so much to celebrate, including a nomination in this year’s Narrabri Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, Mrs Stoltenberg said the foundation planned to celebrate its 20th birthday before November this year.

“We have been fortunate enough to be able to give monetary grants to 21 students this year totalling $83,500. Students are all doing different things with their studies from apprenticeships in building and beauty, to agricultural university degrees, health and education,” she said.

Emma Holmes, a grant recipient of CEF Namoi this year, is studying in her first year of a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at the University of New England.

She received a grant of $2500 from CEF Namoi, which was backed up with an extra $2000 thanks to CEF Australia’s national partnership with the University of New England Foundation, through its program, ‘CEF Extra’.

She said the funding was vital in helping her cover educational expenses.

“They have helped so much in the costs of textbooks, a laptop, iPad, and accommodation expenses,” she said.

“I would definitely recommend CEF Namoi, which I already have, to a few people in year 12 at the moment.”

Applications for grants are currently open for students within CEF Namoi’s coverage area of Narrabri and Wee Waa, and close on September 30.

To apply visit https://cef.org.au/apply-now/.

CEF Namoi is also calling for more volunteers to ensure it can continue supporting local students well into the future.

Please contact Cara Stoltenberg for more information on 0418 164 129.

To make a donation to CEF Namoi go to https://cef.org.au/donations/?to=A+CEF+local+foundation&foundation=Narrabri

For more information on CEF Australia please visit www.cef.org.au or phone 1300 652 144.