Drought no barrier to Mullaley Education Fund's first crop of grant recipients
A promising medical student, a young grazier and a future PE teacher have been named as the recipients of the inaugural Mullaley Education Foundation grants.
Three students, Sam Stevenson from Goolhi, Millie Howarth from Mullaley and Daniel Bates from Gunnedah, were awarded with the 'helping hand' by Mullaley Education Foundation committee members in Gunnedah last week.
The Country Education Foundation was started in Boorowa in 1994 and has grown into an Australia-wide program that empowers rural and remote communities to work together to create economically viable communities of the future by investing in their youth. The Mullaley branch of the foundation was begun in 2007 and offers people aged 16-21 in the Gunnedah Shire and surrounding villages and towns a boost towards their teriary education.
The trio are the first group to receive funds from the newly createad Mullaley branch of the foundation, which encourages rural youth to further their education or careers through community-based support and financial assistance.
"It is hard for country kids to make the move away from home, both emotionally and financially, and we are here to help them," Mullaly Education Foundation President Robyn King said.
"And because the money comes form the local community then we hope they might one day return to a rural community to work."
It is likely the grants will be used to pay for tertiary education essentials including tuition, text books and accomodation. For Daniel, who is entering his second year of a Diploma in Beef Production at Australian Agricultural College's Emerald campus, and Sam, who is in her third year of Nuclear Medicine at Charles Sturt University at Wagga Wagga, it will also help pay to travel the long distances to start the new term. A charity ball held in April last year was the Mullaley branch's main even and organisers are planning several more fund-raisers this year.
"We have a few events in the pipe-line and we also welcome any local businesses or individuals who want to help support the next group of students," Mrs king said.