RAS Foundation scholarship support for Narrabri shire students

The educational pursuits of three Narrabri Shire students have been supported with scholarships by the RAS Foundation.

A record 73 scholarships have been awarded across the RASF Rural Scholarship program.

Eleven students from the New England and North West region have been named among the deserving scholars, with three of those living in the shire.

The three shire awardees are Campbell Hancock, Narrabri, Fiona McPherson Tuckey, Wee Waa, and Kaleb Biles, Gwabegar.

Caleb is completing a Certificate III in Plumbing, Fiona is studying a Bachelor of Social Work and Kaleb is undertaking a Certificate III in Carpentry.

Campbell is studying his qualification at the Tamworth campus of TAFE NSW whilst working for a plumbing business in Narrabri.

Campbell would like to become a fully licensed plumber and gas fitter and help to fill the shortage of qualified tradesman in rural NSW.

Outside of work and study, Campbell enjoys playing rugby union and cricket.

Fiona is married with six children and has grown up in rural areas for most of her childhood, on a property near Bellata with her grandparents and also in the Bellingen area.

As a social worker, Fiona would like to work in rural communities and utilise her skills to help those in the farming community who are resilient but face unique hardships.

Kaleb is a first-year apprentice with a building firm based in Narrabri.

He is enjoying his apprenticeship and learning about building and renovating homes.

Kaleb’s love for carpentry started at an early age when he enjoyed working with tools and helping his pop.

Kaleb’s goal is to start his own building business in a rural and remote area to help ensure that these communities have access to a local qualified builder.

Beginning in 2011, the RAS Foundation Rural Scholarship program provides financial assistance to rural and regional students who are passionate about the future success of regional NSW and intend to work within a rural or regional community at the completion of their studies.

RASF manager Cecilia Logan said the foundation is honoured to support the next generation of bright young minds to pursue their academic dreams.

“Pursuing higher education is often financially and emotionally demanding for rural and regional students, due to the need to relocate to urban centres, away from their family and their familiar way of life”, Ms Logan said. “The Rural Scholarship program aims to ease the burden of financial stress by assisting with accommodation and education related costs, so that students can give greater focus to their studies.

“This year we were able to present a record 73 scholarships to students from NSW and the ACT, which we are incredibly proud of. What this shows us, and our donors, is that there is a real demand for support and the Rural Scholarships are a tangible way to help the next generation access further education.”

The scholarship program is open to students across NSW and the ACT who are currently enrolled or applying for study in an accredited tertiary course at an Australian university, college, or TAFE, with no limits imposed on age or the types of degree that qualify.