Country Education Foundation will offer grants to Murray Mallee students
But first, its committee needs to keep raising the funds it plans to give away.
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A new not-for-profit organisation aims to encourage students in the Murraylands and Mallee to go on to higher education.
The Country Education Foundation will provide $500 grants to students from our region who are going on to study at university, TAFE or other further education providers.
The funding will be used to reimburse students for their spending on accommodation, tech, textbooks, transport, tools and more.
Grantees will also get access to support and awards programs, a professional network and further funding opportunities.
Eligible applicants must:
- be aged 16-25
- be able to demonstrate a need
- have attended school or live in Murray Bridge or surrounding areas
- demonstrate commitment to completing their qualification
Committee members Jen and Rob Carey said the organisation’s Murray Mallee branch would award its first funds to students next year.
“Five hundred dollars might not sound like much, but it might be tools for an apprentice or work boots and a uniform,” Ms Carey said.
“We know we’re not going to be able to educate them, but it takes the pressure off a little bit, shows them someone cares, and we want them to succeed.
“Education is everything.”
Ms Carey first became aware of the foundation out of a desire to make life easier for her grandson’s girlfriend, a Flinders student from Karoonda who was working long hours to try to make ends meet.
“She had three shifts at a restaurant, she was fortunate enough to get another couple of small ones, but her rent was taking nearly all of her (income),” she said.
“How tired she was getting because she had to work all the time, she had to find her way from Karoonda down to Adelaide … it was just one thing after another.
“I thought, no, there has to be something for these kids.”
The Rotary Club of St Peters has given the Murray Mallee branch of the Country Education Foundation a $10,000 seed grant, and a handful of local sponsors have come on board.
But the Careys hoped more local businesses could get behind an initiative that would ultimately benefit the whole community.
“Every kid deserves a fair go,” Ms Carey said.
“They deserve a shot.
“We can do a little bit to get them over the line.”
- More information: Visit cef.org.au, or contact Jen Carey on 0407 737 080 or at cefmurraymallee@gmail.com.
- Apply for funding: Visit cef.org.au/apply-now before October 31.
- Donate: cef.org.au/donations.
