Kloe Crocker
"I'm a journalist for Rural Press doing a cadetship. Because of the circumstances in Boorowa I actually have the role of editor as well as being a cadet. Which is very rare for someone like myself, I'm only twenty and I'm running a newspaper on my own. I think I'm probably the youngest person ever who's had control over the Boorowa News. I have to find stories for the paper, I take photos, and I write the captions. Everything that is in the paper I do and edit."
In her last year of high school Kloe applied for funding from the Boorowa Education Foundation to assist her in training for her chosen career in journalism.
"Our careers advisor told us about it and I thought it was a good idea. So I applied for it through school and had the interview... more like an informal chat really. It was a great help.
The funding paid for my first year's fees at CIT. With the drought conditions and everything it meant there wasn't as much pressure on my parents. And I was working two jobs so it was a lot of help to me as well. It meant that I didn't have to get another job to help pay for my fees. I only had to pay for my textbooks and other things that I needed for my course. It gave me more time to study.”
Kloe believes it is really important that rural communities have organisations like regional foundations.
"The community is behind you and willing to support you in what your goals are."
She didn't always intend going back home to Boorowa
"No. No way – I'm surprised. I honestly am surprised... I didn't think that I would get a job back home. But there you go I did.
I'm still continuing my studies. I have one subject to go and I will graduate with an Advanced Diploma from CIT in Canberra. I'm also studying another course, which is through Country Press Australia. It's the way Rural Press grade their cadets to become a Grade 1 Journalist. I'm also learning how to do shorthand."
Since receiving her community scholarship, Kloe has taken on the job of publicity officer for the Boorowa Education Foundation and has recently been asked to sit on the Foundation's interview panel.
"If they're supporting you then I think you should support them as well. It's sort of a two-way situation. It's nice to say thank you and to help them out."
Kloe has found that being from a rural area has helped her in her job.
"If you're talking about a rural issue and they know that you've come from a rural area yourself it makes them think that she's actually not just following a story – it's a bit more close to home.
Being as genuine as possible is the most important thing especially as a journalist it's important to earn someone's trust. I've learnt in a small local community where you know everyone you're not going to get someone to talk to you about something if they feel that you are not genuine in what you're asking."
Kloe is keen to encourage other young people to apply to their regional education foundation for a community scholarship.
"It's the community trying to help you out. If you feel you need assistance then you should not be afraid to apply for it.
Some students might think that it's only for TAFE or uni. I think they really should know that they also help people out who would like to do an apprenticeship or need help with moving away to start a course in another state."
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