Twelve people from the local community were given these scholarships to pursue tertiary education of their own choosing, with the money having been raised from the local community.

The recipients had to undertake an interview process after the Foundation put out a call for applications in November and December of last year. 

The scholarships were awarded at the annual Yass District Education Foundation presentation night in February.

Chairperson of the Yass District Education Foundation, Nic Carmody, said that the purpose of the presentation night was to get the students together to meet some of the people who donated the money and those in the community that assist them in achieving their goals. 

“All the recipients should be very proud of their achievements and it is the Foundation's way of giving something back to support their future. They are excellent ambassadors for the town,” Mr Carmody said. 

“By bringing the supporters and recipients together, I think it’s important for the students to see where the funding come from - that it comes from the local community and not the government. 

“There were two parts to the scholarships, first was the money we raise, plus a foundation the Yass Rotary Club manage, which is the Glenlothian Foundation; money left from a rural estate towards educational purposes.”

The scholarships are not just given to university students, but kids that are wishing to pursue a trade or do studies elsewhere. 

“Hopefully, one day in the future they will return to the community, whether it be as one of our doctors, nurses or plumbers, they may come home to use their skills here,” Mr Carmody said.

Rotarian John Brassil was the special guest who presented the awards. 

Major sponsors of the Foundation were the Landsdowne Foundation, Glenlothian Foundation, Bain Family, Origin Foundation, Snow Foundation, NSW Farmers Association, Bookham Agriculture, the Smithers family and Paul Simons. 

The Yass District Education Foundation and the Boorowa Foundation were the first two of these supporting foundations. Today there are 43 foundations around Australia, that are loosely based on their local government areas.

Scholarship recipients 

* Patrick Dodd - Bachelor of Medicine at the University of NSW. 

* Lauren Cleary - Bachelor of Forensic Science at the University of Western Sydney. 

* Gabby Cleary - Bachelor of Nursing at the Australian Capital University. 

* Jowil Al-Samara - Bachelor of Nutrition at the University Of Canberra. 

* Nick Whiting - Horticulture at CIT. 

* Joe Whiting and Tom Schlunke - Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga. 

* Kate Kelly - Bachelor of Exercise Science.

* Matthew Pilbrow - Bachelor of Engineering and Commerce at the University of Wollongong.

* Siobhan McGrath - Bachelor of Music at the Australian Institute of Music in Sydney.

* Fergus McGrath - Bachelor of Animal Science at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga. 

* Taylah Wright - Bachelor of Nursing and Paramedics at the Australian Capital University.