Twenty-four ambitious students have received a share of $50,000 from the Yass District Education Foundation to pursue their tertiary education dreams.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The foundation was formed 20 years ago and has provided $550,000 to young scholars over the years.
The money is raised by donations from the community and grows every year. In its first year, the foundation raised just $4000 to support four students.
Applicants can pursue any subject of their choosing.
Among the 2019 recipients was Jack Howard, who is about to embark on his first year at the University of Canberra to study pharmacy. Jay Ryder is also a new recipient and will soon head to the Australian National University to study economics, thanks to the help of the foundation.
Hannah Phemister received support from the foundation in her first year at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, studying photography. She returned to the foundation’s presentation evening on Wednesday to take photos.
Another success story comes from Carmen Poidevin, today a solicitor at Davis Faulkner Lawyers. Ms Poidevin, born and bred in Yass, was encouraged to leave home to study law at Deakin University in Geelong. The funding allowed her to buy text books for the year, described by Ms Poidevin as “vital”.
“I still have members of the foundation come up to me in the street who are genuinely interested in what I’m up to,” Ms Poidevin said. “I still consider the foundation a part of my support network and will never forget their contribution.
“I’ve now come back to my community to help people through some of the most emotionally challenging times of their life, just like the foundation helped me.”
This year’s donations came from the Glenlothian Education Foundation (managed by the Rotary Club of Yass), Whitelaw family, O’Connor family, NSW Farmers Association, Bookham Agriculture, Lansdowne Foundation, Narrangullen, Thyne Reid Foundation and South Eastern Livestock Exchange.
Applications are open for next year’s funding.
The 2019 recipients are:
- Amy Kelly, Bachelor of Pharmacy – University of Canberra
- Joshua Brooker-Williams, Bachelor of Engineering – Australian National University
- Patrick Dodd, Bachelor of Medical Science/Doctor of Medicine – University of New South Wales
- Jay Ryder, Bachelor of Economics – Australian National University
- Dana Wilson, Bachelor of Psychological Science – University of Melbourne
- Gabrielle Davis, Remedial Massage/Physiotherapy – Canberra Institute of Technology
- Ryan Young, Bachelor of Software Engineering – Australian National University
- Toni Garland, Bachelor of Law/Forensic Studies – University of Canberra
- Hannah Phemister, Bachelor of Arts – Photography, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
- Siobahn McGrath, Bachelor of Music – Australian Institute of Music
- Madi Wynne, Diploma of Business Admin – Online VET Provider
- Jack Howard, Bachelor of Pharmacy – University of Canberra
- Lara Mitchell, Bachelor of Veterinary Science/Veterinary Biology – Charles Sturt Wagga
- Stephanie Davis, Bachelor of Tourism and Events – University of Canberra
- Mikayla Ede, Bachelor of Psychological Science – University of Wollongong
- Molly Schlunke, Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science – University of Canberra
- Taylah Wright, Bachelor of Nursing/Paramedics – Australian Catholic University Canberra
- Jowil Alsamara, Bachelor of Pharmacy – University of Canberra
- Madeline Davis, Bachelor of Law – University of Canberra
- Laura Hants, Bachelor of Nursing – Australian Catholic University of Canberra
- Georgie Paton, Vet Nursing – Canberra Institute of Technology
- Claudia Miller, Bachelor of Business Marketing – University of Canberra
- Daniel Grieve, Light Automotive – Canberra Institute of Technology Fyshwick
- Alyssa Wright, Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science – University of Canberra
