THE ROYAL Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation presented rural students studing in Armidale with scholarships to assist them with their education.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
At a presentation at the University of New England on July 20, 16 students from rural backgrounds were awarded scholarships to help them reach their goal of working within the rural sector.
Students along with their families and stakeholders from UNE attended the evening.
The ceremony in Armidale was the first of three in the state which will present a total of 58 students with financial assistance. RAS Foundation executive officer Kate Ross said it is the largest cohort of scholars introduced into the program since it began in 2011.
“This year the RAS Foundation will proudly support a diverse group of talented individuals, all with amazing and unique backgrounds,” she said. “We have a single father, a Vietnamese refugee as well as a young Indigenous woman, who is the first of 52 grandchildren to go to University; and that’s just three of the 58.
“Each year, we are impressed with the quality of applicants and inspired by their journeys.
“We again look forward to supporting these rural-minded students as they work towards achieving their goals,” Ms Ross said.
An initiative designed to build strong and vibrant NSW rural communities, the scholarships are awarded to students originally from rural areas, and offer $5,000 for full-time study and $2,500 for part-time study.
A total of $1.4 million has gone to 300 recipients in the five years.
Recipients studying in Armidale included Lachlan Barden (Narrabri), Sally Beer (Deniliquin), Jane Brien (Wellington), Samuel Bush (Cootamundra), Jessica Capps (Buxton), Josie Clarke (Kempsey), Eliza Coles (Boorowa), Tara Langfield (Narrabri), Cassie McBean (Raneleigh), Keiley O'Brien (Gulgargambone), Shae Parsons (Loomberah), Harrison Sellers (Delegate), Lachlan Smith (Mendooran) and Jaslyn Tuckwell (Bundeena).
The RAS Foundation is a charitable foundation that encourages educational opportunities and helps build strong and sustainable rural and regional communities through a range of targeted grants and scholarships.