22 June, 2009
Seven scholarship winners from North West Region
22 June, 2009
Seven Aboriginal people from the North West Region had won New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council scholarships, NSWALC's North West Region representative, Steve Gordon, announced today.
"This is wonderful news. They are all worthy winners".
Councillor Gordon said the seven successful applicants were:
- Georgia Budden from Narrabri
- Tahleeta Fernando from Coonamble
- Sara McBride and Jamee McBride from Lightning Ridge
- Kaycee Ah Kit, Lightning Ridge
- Shari Gibbs, Goodooga
- Laurinne Campbell from Pilliga
"While one recipient is still at primary school and another at high school, the five other recipients are all studying from degrees," Councillor Gordon said.
"There are two streams of NSWALC scholarships and both cover vital educational areas," Councillor Gordon added.
"The first stream, the Freddy Fricke Scholarships, are targeted at applicants in the professions while scholarships under NSWALC's $30 million dollar Education Endowment Fund covered all age groups and levels of education.
"The aim is obviously aimed at helping more and more Aboriginal people complete their education.
"The more role models we can create the better. It spreads the word.  It lets other Aboriginal people know that we effort and persistence it is possible to achieve academically. We know we are making a solid contribution to the number who may well become the leaders of tomorrow".
Councillor Gordon said he would continue to do all he could to encourage Aboriginal people from his Region - which covers such areas as Walgett, Brewarrina, Collarenebri, Coonamble, Goodooga, Lightning Ridge, Moree and Toomelah - to complete their education.
"We must all try our best to achieve this outcome.
"After all, today there are Aboriginal judges, magistrates, lawyers, politicians, accountants, educators, doctors, nurses and scientists," he said.
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Further information: Councillor Steve Gordon 0408 690 267