10 June, 2009
128 benefit from New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council scholarships                                                                               Â
June 10 2009
The academic achievements of Aboriginal people were rewarded today with the announcement of 128 successful recipients of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council's educational scholarships.
NSWALC's Chairperson, Bev Manton, said the Council was ecstatic to be able to offer a large number of educational opportunities to Aboriginal people throughout the state.
"There is a strong commitment by Aboriginal people to advancing their educational outcomes," Ms Manton said.
"Aboriginal communities recognise that education can improve their economic and social well-being.
"It is NSWALC's goal that Aboriginal people should be able to participate fully in education, employment and society.
The 128 scholarship winners come from many different backgrounds and some have had to overcome significant barriers to study. "
The scholarships had been able to help such worth recipients as:
- A young Aboriginal man from the Newcastle suburb of Lambton to help finish the last year of his medical degree at the University of Newcastle
- A significant number of Aboriginal people to complete community services degrees and trade courses
- Teachers, scientists and nurses.
Ms Manton said, the need for scholarship funding for Aboriginal people would continue to grow.
"Our new Education Endowment Fund, established with $30 million dollars of NSWALC's own funds, will provide up to 200 scholarships a year for students ranging from primary school age to mature age students," she added.
"The separate Freddy Fricke Scholarship seeks to address the lack of Aboriginal people working in the professions including medicine, finance and commerce. Four Aboriginal Australians had been successful in gaining these scholarships".
Recipients included:
- A young woman from Newcastle to help her complete her degree in medical radiation science, and
- A young man who was studying for an Applied Science Degree at the University of Western Sydney
"Both scholarship streams demonstrate to Aboriginal children the benefits of committing to school and going on to tertiary education.
"It will also let them know that with effort and persistence it is possible to achieve regardless of any disadvantage," Ms Manton added.
"By encouraging more Aboriginal people to stay at school and achieve academically we know we are making a solid contribution to the number who may well become the leaders of the next generation."
"The scholarships allowed greater numbers of Aboriginal people to gain professional qualifications and thus inspire others.
"Today, there are Aboriginal judges, magistrates, lawyers, politicians, accountants, educators, university graduates and post-graduates in many disciplines.
"I wish to acknowledge and thank those people who have contributed to the scholarships we have awarded today for their enormous generosity and support," said Ms Manton.
Further Information: Peter Windsor: 0400 554 603