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Young Women's Scholarships awarded

Five young women have each been awarded $500 Council scholarships to encourage the achievement of their goals and to celebrate their valuable contribution to the local community.

Tuesday 7 March 2017 L-R Ruby Dellas, Cr Liz Seckold, Madeleine Gordon and Rani Quin.

Five young women have each been awarded $500 Council scholarships to encourage the achievement of their goals and to celebrate their valuable contribution to the local community.

This year Council increased its scholarships from $500 to $2,500 and tried a new selection process that follows Council’s Youth Voice and Youth Action initiative.

Council’s Place Based Officer, Sarah Davis said there was a great calibre of applicants for this year’s scholarship program.

“We are involving more young people across the Shire in having a voice, making decisions and participating in community life at places where they live, work and play, including our own young staff,” she said.

“Four young female staff members who work in a range of areas including customer service, libraries and environment and health provided input into the wording of the application and shortlisting applicants.”

“The end result is five young local women chosen for their hard work and dedication to making a difference in their community and beyond. We congratulate them all on their success,” Ms Davis said.

The scholarship recipients are:

Rhiannon Chapman – Bega 

Rhiannon, aged 18, will use the funds to purchase a laptop computer that will help her successfully complete year 12 and inspire other young Aboriginal people in her community. The selection panel noted that access to computers for studies has been a challenge for young people experiencing financial hardship in the Bega Valley.

Ruby Dellas – Tura Beach

The scholarship will ensure that Ruby, aged 18, will be able to publish another edition of Nude Baguette, a not for profit magazine with an online presence. This work is important to Ruby because it pushes the boundaries and speaks the truth: the Nude Baguette supports young creative people and writers to have their voice heard in the areas of gender and sexuality, feminism, the arts, poems, interviews and humour.

Madeleine Gordon – Wolumla

Madeleine, aged 18, is actively involved in volunteering, charity work, and representing Australia through her athletic abilities. She lives with epilepsy and is very passionate about having a broad impact on social and environmental justice, while aiming one day to work at the United Nations. The scholarship will support her financially with living costs while studying a Bachelor of International Security Studies/Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the Australia National University.

Meg Hale – Bega

Meg, aged 21, works at Nardy House and is passionate about helping people in our community, particularly those with a disability. Meg experiences chronic migraines, hypotension and an arachnoid brain cyst which causes almost constant pain but is still able to manage the pain to study and work. The scholarship will support Meg with her living costs while she reaches her study goal of becoming a registered nurse.

Rani Quin – Pambula

Rani, aged 18, has a hearing impairment and wants to help children with similar challenges. She wishes to use the scholarship for a First Aid course, Working with Children Check and TAFE fees – her plan is to formally study Cert III & IV in Supporting People with Disability, Aged Care and later on she wishes to gain a qualification in teaching children with hearing impairments.

This is the ninth year that Council has provided funding for these scholarships and it is wonderful to hear the stories of how this has supported the passions and endeavours of our young women.

We have another scholarship opportunity for young people aged between 18-25 who also need some financial assistance. Council’s Tertiary Scholarships are for students living in the Bega Valley and studying full time in any tertiary or vocational course.

There is still over two weeks to apply online for $500 or $750 to support your study or living costs.

Visit www.begavalley.nsw.gov.au

Photograph: L-R Ruby Dellas, Cr Liz Seckold, Madeleine Gordon and Rani Quin.

END

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