Another seven CEF students helped pursue career dreams

The CEF is a non-government charity that aims to provide financial support through annual grants for country kids to gain higher education opportunities that might otherwise be denied them.

Students undertaking tertiary education such as TAFE, university, or other accredited training institutions, are eligible apply for these grants that can go towards start-up costs, accommodation, travel, textbooks, and the like.

“The system has proved to be of great value to the students, as country people have many more expenses, especially for accommodation, than their city counterparts,’ Gilgandra CEF chairperson, Joan Staggs said.

“Once a student is eligible by our local organisation, there are addition sources of support that can be obtained through other organisations. Families have been very grateful for our support,” she added.

This year’s recipients are as follows:

• John Bunter for a Bachelor of Bio-Medical Science at the University of Queensland;

• Anna Schier for a Bachelor of Education (Technology and Applied Studies) at CSU Wagga Wagga;

• Amelia Murray for a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology Science at CSU Wagga Wagga;

• Sarah Schier for a Bachelor of Pharmacy at CSU Orange;

• Lachlan Riley for a Bachelor of Accounting at ANU;

• Zoe Welsh for a Bachelor of Sport at the University of Wollongong;

• Nash Marchant for a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at CSU Port Macquarie.

Recipient Anna Schier, said that the grant has been a real blessing which will take a burden off the start of her university studies.

“It means you don’t have to stress and rush to find a job right as uni starts, you have some support to send you off and get started,” she said.

Other students, Lachlan and Amelia, added that the grant money will go towards things like accommodation costs and study equipment.

“It’ll be really helpful in easing some of that financial pressure of moving away,” Lachlan said.

Later this year, the local CEF group are keen to conduct another ‘Evening by the River’, to bolster funds for the foundation.

“We just want this valuable work to be able to continue,” Mrs Staggs explained.

“Over the years, we have funded brick-layers, mechanics, electricians, doctors, solicitors, teachers, nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, and so on, to achieve their dreams.

“We have been able to help 176 students so far, and this year an additional seven students. We wish the 2023 cohort all the very best in their studies,” she added.

The capitalisation of the foundation is now more than $200,000, which includes local and co-funding sources.