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.