CEFA opposes university funding cuts

Disadvantaged rural and regional students will be amongst the hardest hit by the Federal Government’s proposed higher education funding cuts according to the Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEFA).

New staff member

We are very pleased to welcome new projects and administration officer, Jane McKenzie Hollows, to the CEFA team.

Clubs NSW Grants

Uni Campus App

For all those students heading off to university in the coming weeks, a new app called 'Lost on Campus' could really help you find your way around.

Scholarships on offer for Social Impact Studies

Students interested in leading organisations with social purpose and creating social value across sectors now have the chance to receive a scholarship to help fund their studies.

Where are they now?

As we head toward our 10th Anniversary in 2013, CEFA is very keen to hear from former grant recipients to hear how they are progressing and where their studies have taken them, professionally and personally.

NSW Regional Dentistry Scholarship applications closing soon

 This is a reminder that the closing date for applications for the 2013 NSW Regional Dentistry Scholarship is 18 February 2013.

The Governor-General visits Temora

New Chief Executive Officer appointed

All in the CEFA management team are thrilled to announce that Sarah Taylor is joining CEFA as our new CEO.

The Origin Foundation renews partnership with CEFA

The education aspirations of local youth are set to receive a much needed kick-start, following news that The Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEFA) and their local Foundation’s will receive continued funding over the next three years.

CEFA has announced it will continue its partnership with the Origin Foundation, formed in 2011, for another three years. Funding will help to increase the annual grant-making capacity of CEFA’S Education Foundations.

Grant-making success in 2012

The annual grant reporting process is always an exciting one for CEFA as we learn about the generous grants awarded to local students by our Education Foundations. It is also a time to reflect on the incredible additional support provided by our Education Partners and donors - without whom we would not be able to continue to help thousands of rural and regional youth achieve their post high school aspirations.

Reintroduction of the University Student Services and Amenities Fee.

The Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEFA) welcomed the passage of the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Bill through the Senate last month, however warned of the continuing financial impact rising costs place on rural and regional students attending university.

Youth Allowance to include Inner Regional Students

On 14 September 2011 the Labor Government announced its response to Professor Kwong Lee Dow’s Review of Student Income Support Reforms.

CEFA moves to the Country

In July CEFA made a tree change and relocated the national office from Sydney to Orange in the Central West of NSW.

ACT University Experience a Huge Success

The Country Education Foundation of Australia has implemented a pilot aspiration enhancement program in the ACT thanks to the generosity of CEFA’s Education Partners the University of Canberra (UC) and the Australian National University (ANU)

Record Year of CEFA Grants in 2011

CEFA’s local Education Foundations have provided more than $372,000 in grants to rural youth for the 2011 academic year - a new record.

Rural Tertiary Hardship Fund - APPLICATIONS CLOSED

Applications for the 2011 Rural Tertiary Hardship Fund are now closed.

Disappointing Sell Out For Regional Students

Media Release: Labor's Independent allies in Parliament have sold out regional students for the hollow promise of a "review" of the unfair Independent Youth Allowance.

Student Income Supports More Independent Students

From 1 January thousands of students seeking Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY support are set to benefit with the lowering of the qualifying age of independence from 24 to 23 years of age.

Budding Rural Scientists Visit Sydney

Students from local CEFA Education Foundation communities travelled to Sydney recently to take part in the 2010 Careers in Science Program.

CEFA Responds to New Rural and Regional Taskforce

CEFA has issued a media release in response the the federal government's establishment of a Rural Tertiary Hardship Fund to assist rural students access tertiary education.

The Walk of Wonders: A Wonderful Success

The iconic Murrumbidgee River and Jugiong Village hosted more than 200 Walking Wonders in September for a very successful CEFA fundrasier, organised by Jo Miller.

CIT and CEFA Renew Partnership

The Canberra Institute of Technology continues its support of rural students, re-signing as a CEFA Education Partner.

UNSW Scholarships for Rural Youth

The University of New South Wales has a diverse range
of scholarships and bursaries available, some specifically for rural students.

ACU Presentation for CEFA Students

CEFA students at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) and their families recently attended a scholarship certificate presentation in the ACT.

University Experience Program - Video Diary

Thanks to the expertise of staff at the NSW Department of Education and Training, we are excited to present a montage video diary of CEFA's 2010 University Experience Program.

Running in the Sydney CIty2Surf?

We would love for you to fundraise for CEFA - it's really quick and easy and a great way to support the work we do for rural youth.

Prize Donation for CEFA

CEFA has received a generous donation from staff in the International Markets & Trade branch of Industry & Investment NSW which they won in a competition.

University Experience for Rural CEFA Students

Students from eight rural NSW high schools recently travelled to Sydney to experience university life, courtesy of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and Macquarie University.

Young Community Leaders attend Rabobank Summit

CEFA students recently attended the 2010 Rabobank Young Rural Leaders Summit – an opportunity made possible by their local CEFA Education Foundations and Rabobank.

Promising Local Students Awarded Scholarships

Thanks to a unique scholarship program, six young CEFA students have recently been awarded scholarships from the University of Sydney

2010 Grant-Making Report Released

CEFA has just released its report on grant-making for 2010 with outstanding results ...more

A Strong, Saintly Regard for Youth Education

The Country Education Foundation of Australia is proud to see the Blessed Mary MacKillop recognised throughout the world for her dedication and commitment to educating rural youth.

A Staggering Number Of Students Experience Uncertainty Over Youth Allowance Changes

A staggering number of students are experiencing a high level of uncertainty about what they will be doing in 2010 due to the delays in resolving the Youth Allowance debate.

CEFA finds a new patron

Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia has done CEFA the great honour of accepting our invitation to become our new Patron.

Blow Torch On Nationals Over Student Fee

The federal government is making a second attempt to impose a $250 services fee on university students, this time targeting the Nationals.

Student Shake-up In Doubt

According to Dan Harrison, writing for the Sydney Morning Hearld, the Government's planned changes in student income support are in doubt after a concession to country students failed to satisfy the Coalition and key crossbench senators.

We Need To Think Outside City Squares

Improvement in regional education is essential to facing the challenges that confront the nation, writes vice-chancellor of Charles Sturt University, Ian Goulter for The Australian.

UTS & Macquarie Uni Join Forces For Rural Youth

CEFA is delighted to announce that Macquarie University has agreed to co-partner U@UTS's University Experience Program in 2010, allowing the program to be extended to four days and 35 students from seven CEFA communities to participate.

Youth Allowance – Information on the Proposed Changes

35 Scholarships Granted For The 2009 Rabobank Young Rural Leaders Summit

Rabobank and the Thyne Reid Foundation have generously funded 35 scholarships to rural young people from CEFA communities to attend the 2009 Rabobank Young Rural Leaders Summit.

Rural students attend three-day university experience in Sydney

Thanks to the great generosity of the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), 21 lucky students from Balranald Central School, Coonamble High School, Moree Secondary College and Murrumburrah High School were given the opportunity to travel to Sydney on a three day university discovery excursion.

Grass Roots Support – How RM Williams Outback Magazine has boosted CEFA community growth

Good news travels fast and that was certainly the case for the Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEFA). Article from OUTBACK

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. Article from The North West Magazine

Youth from Young receive a boost from Sydney Uni

CEFA’s recent formation of an Education Partnership with the University of Sydney has already reaped great rewards with the awarding of University of Sydney Access Scholarships to two students from the NSW town of Young.

Support for students as well as a place

This is not about turning Australia into a nation of intellectuals, writes Steven Schwartz in the Sydney Morning Herald.

'Leg up’ for the young

A new partnership between Rabobank and the Country Education Foundation Australia (CEFA) will help many more young people to develop leadership skills. Article from: The Land

Macquarie grads learn philanthropy

As the credit crunch takes its tol on the banking sector, graduates are expanding their skill set beyond the world of high finance and turning to community activities. Article from: The Australian Financial Review

University education still beyond the reach of many

There Has To Be A Better Way – Students From Bottom 25% of Post Codes Make Up Only 15% of University Admissions.
Article from:  The Australian

Rabobank announced as major partner to rural youth leadership initiative

CEFA has announced a three-year partnership with leading agribusiness lender Rabobank that will see the bank support a key initiative of fostering further education and leadership development.

Want to Study in IT and Need Some Help?

The lure of scholarship dollars is being used to attract students to study Information Technology, as the industry tackles dwindling graduate numbers.

Cootamundra becomes CEFA's 33rd education foundation community

With CEFA’s growth across the country continuing at break neck speed, Cootamundra has been welcomed as our latest education foundation community.

UTS Experience Day

The University of Technology Sydney recently played host to 20 rural students from Balranald, Coonamble and Wee Waa for a life and learning opportunity .

Off and racing in Temora

Not only is Temora the home of one of Australia’s fastest pacing horses that ever lived, it is also the home of our fastest committee to form. 

A day for 20 lucky rural youth to remember

UTS is proud to announce a unique project they are funding in collaboration with the Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEFA).

Tell us what you think about our new website

We are very excited to bring to you the new CEFA website. Please take a moment to complete our 2 minute survey. Experiencing viewing problems? View our 'help' section.

CEFA Launches New Website

In June we were proud to launch our new website, made possible by the generosity of the Macquarie Group Foundation. The end result is a bold new site that is appealing to youth and can grow with us for some time to come.

Avis - Trying Harder For Rural Youth

In support of the ultimate goal of assisting rural youth, Avis has put its support behind CEFA by assisting with car hire. Please visit our Special Offers section for more details.

More support for country students studying agriculture

The Country Education Foundation of Australia and Tocal’s CB Alexander Foundation have teamed up to provide support for students to attend Tocal College.

A unique new partnership to assist more rural youth

Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) becomes CEFA'S first TAFE partner. In a unique and innovative new partnership, CEFA and Canberra Institute of Technology have forged a partnership to ensure more youth from rural and regional areas can afford to access further education.

Sowing the seeds of success

The UWS Hawkesbury Foundation sees their partnership with CEFA as a way to stimulate more interest in tertiary studies in the areas of; Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Science, Science (Food Science) and Environmental Management and Science).

Coober Pedy becomes CEFA's latest and most remote foundation

Coober Pedy establishes local education foundation under CEFA to improve access to tertiary education and vocation for local youth. With the continuing drought resulting in many rural communities experiencing greater hardship, the challenges for students from these areas in accessing tertiary education have escalated.

UTS becomes the latest University Partner - committing to $20,000 a year

In response to the increasing challenge rural students face in accessing tertiary education, UTS saw becoming a CEFA Education partner as a real and practical way to give more students the opportunity of a university education.

University of Newcastle contributes $ 20,000 a year to CEFA sponsorship

Newcastle University has joined a growing number of tertiary education institutions to get behind CEFA's Education Partnerships to encourage and support rural youth to achieve their tertiary education goals.

University of South Australia commits $ 20,000 annually

The University of South Australia has been the first South Australian University to partner with CEFA to ensure that more rural students are given the opportunity of tertiary education.

Local members kick off Broken Hill foundation

Testament to the motivation of Rotarians, a group of local members, one also being the local Hungry Jacks Franchisee, Carrie Oakley, have taken up the challenge of setting up an Education Foundation for Broken Hill youth.

University of NSW joins as a CEFA University Partner

This week we welcomed the University of New South Wales to the CEFA University Partner stable. With a generous injection of $15,000 per annum, UNSW's contribution will be used for grant matching.

Macquarie University's $30,000 a year angel gift

Macquarie University has just joined CEFA as a University Partner making an unbelievable grant of $30,000 a year available to our local rural grant recipients who attend the university.

Mullaley NSW becomes the latest community to join CEFA

Last week marked the addition of our newest community Education Foundation member, Mullaley in North Western NSW, just west of Gunnedah.

University of South Australia joins the growing number of CEFA Education Partners

UniSA has shown their commitment to improving rural and regional student's access to tertiary education by becoming a strategic partner of CEFA's as of January 2008.

Clare District Education Foundation joins CEFA

The Clare district of South Australia has recently become a member of CEFA. Included in their local foundation will be the towns of Clare, Balaclava, Riverton and Bura.

CEFA welcomes Wee Waa, NSW as a new foundation community

Wee Waa, NSW recently launched their Education Foundation and is set to hold their first fundraiser on June long weekend.

Charles Sturt Unviversity becomes a strategic partner

CSU will now make 10 Scholarships of $500 each available annually to CEFA students commencing in 2008.

CEFA signs agreement with University of Canberra

On 31 October 2006, Mr Nick Burton Taylor AM, Chairman of the Country Education Foundation of Australia, signed an agreement between the Foundation and the University of Canberra which formalised the establishment of the new UC-CEFA Scholarship Program.

ANU'S Vice Chancellor extends CEFA partnership

ANU's Vice Chancellor Extends CEFA Partnership for Three More Years To Ensure More Rural Youth Have The Opportunity of Tertiray Education. The Vice Chancellor has committeed another $15,000 to the agreement on the back of a success trial partnership.