Nine students have been celebrated as the Country Education Foundation of the Namoi announced the recipients of education grants at a presentation event held at The Exchange last week.
Students, their families, sponsoring businesses and organisations were joined by CEFN officials for the much-loved annual celebration.
This year’s recipients include Matilda Currey (Bachelor of Physiotherapy, CSU), Tom Ryan (plumbing licence), Lillie-Mae Carter (Bachelor of Public Health/Health Promotion, UWS), Charlie Cooke (Diploma of Agribusiness, UNE), Taylor Kay (Certificate IV in Real Estate), Elizabeth Caton (Bachelor of Business, Sunshine Coast), Andrea Brown (Diploma of Graphic Design, Torrens University, Billy Blue College of Design), Mietta Smith (Bachelor of Management/Bachelor of Sustainability and Environment, UTS), and Asher Kelly (Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology, SCU).
Three scholarships from the coveted William McIlrath Charitable Foundation were provided this year.
Matilda Currey was announced as the first recipient while Lillie-Mae Carter received a resilience scholarship.
The kind generosity of the William McIlrath Charitable Foundation has been expanded again, with a new scholarship in trades and services awarded to Tom Ryan.
Country Education Foundation of the Namoi chair Cara Stoltenberg said Tom impressed the panel so much that the William McIlrath Charitable Foundation generously agreed to contributed towards a new scholarship.
“We have a dedicated group of women who volunteer their time because we believe in one simple idea, and that is that every young person in our community deserves a chance to pursue their dreams,” Mrs Stoltenberg told the gathering in her opening address.
“We may be small in number, but our belief in local students is anything but.
“Each year through local fundraising and the support of individuals, businesses, and the community. We are able to provide scholarships to school leaders who are going on to further their education.
“Whether that be apprenticeships or university or any kind of study. These scholarships are more than just a financial assistance.
“They are a message that says we see you and we support you and your community is behind you. For many of our recipients, that encouragement is just as important as the dollars that we give them, and I think that’s what sets CEFN apart from other committees.
“It gives people confidence and it gives them momentum and it reminds them that even as they step into the world, they never stepping out alone.”
Following Mrs Stoltenberg’s address, Country Universities Centre North West centre manager Shayne Miller told the gathering about her career and her passion for education.
“The lesson is that I’ve continued to be a lifelong learner,” she said.
Ms Miller told the students that while the journey of education is really important, so are the skills that they will pick up on the way.
“It’s not just what you learn in the degree, or in your qualification,” she said.
“It’s actually how you talked to people. How you interact with other humans. How you build relationships. How you connect. How you listen.
“That will add even more value to your journey throughout your career.”
Ms Miller also emphasised to students that their local CUC was ready to support them.
Current scholarship recipient and former Narrabri High School student Jesse Weekes was the guest speaker at this year’s presentation event and acknowledged how the support from the CEFN has made a difference to his university studies in Sydney.
A further report on Jesse will be published in a future edition of The Courier.
