Seventeen young Gunnedah locals receive scholarship to assist with learning experiences

Therefore, any bit of help someone can get is of great significance to them, which is why 17 locals will be extremely thankful for the Gunnedah Shire Council (GSC) and its Community Scholarship Fund.

Students across a wide range of courses received a share of $22,250, which will be used on the likes of textbooks, relocation and travel, living expenses or contribution towards tuition fees.

The fund has now reached over 365 students and contributed more than $320,000 across the 18 years since its inception.

Councillor Gae Swain played a large part in setting the program up back then, and said it is crucial to provide local learners with the opportunities they deserve.

"The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund is a one-of-a-kind program that brings Council and local businesses and groups together to ensure our young people have every opportunity to make a difference in their chosen profession," she stated.

"Our country kids have achieved many goals over the years.

"We would love to see some of these students return as doctors or nurses, or to work in a whole range of areas in the Gunnedah Shire."

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The guest speaker for the presentation was Chelsea Mitchell, a previous scholarship recipient who graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and now works at Gunnedah Veterinary Hospital.

The fund is open to local students under 25 who want to further their training and education at university, TAFE, or an accredited training organisation.

The 2021 recipients were Zachary Bower, Leah Broekman, Edwina Carrigan, Lacey Davis, Paige Gainsford, Tyson Hubbard, Grace Jaeger, Ineke Jones, Holly Miller, Ashleigh Mills, Lucy Moore, Paige Murray, Kaitlin Newbery, Eliza Perkins, Chelsea Willey, Bayley Williams, and Arielle Worthington.

It was funded by Whitehaven Coal, Gunnedah West Rotary Club, PRAMS, Forsyths and GSC.