General News
14 February, 2025
More scholarships awarded in Warracknabeal
Recently the Country Education Foundation of Warracknabeal and District (CEFW&D) awarded scholarships to 13 Warracknabeal and district students commencing (and continuing) courses as diverse as Veterinary Technology, Teaching, Exercise Science and Engineering.
The CEFW&D encourages students who live in the Warracknabeal district, are aged between 16 and 25 and who intend to enter further education or training via apprenticeships, TAFE or university courses; to apply for scholarships for the following academic year.
Grants ranging from $500 to $2000 are available to help meet costs associated with their studies.
What makes these scholarships unique is they’re not tagged.
A scholarship can (and has been) spent on textbooks, on computers, on fuel, on computer programs, on course and registration fees and on accommodation.
Four years ago I began an article on a previous scholarship awardee with the question:
“What does a little girl who used to love reading to her toys assembled before her, decide to do when she grew up and still loved reading? Why, a teacher of course."
In 2021, Lily Duncan (now Thomas) had just finished her first year of a Master of Teaching course and hoped to go on to be an English, Literature and Humanities teacher.
She maintained contact with the CEFW&D and this year began her teaching career at Warracknabeal Secondary College.
In the six years since the CEFW&D was set up in Warracknabeal, it has supported more than 50 students like Lily and will again in October this year be seeking applications from students who have completed their Secondary Schooling and have applied for 2026 post-VCE studies.
What makes the process of assisting these students so rewarding is that we get to see them grow and mature as young people who are keen to bring their skills back to communities similar to those they grew up in.
Contributed by John Tonkin