17 December 2024

Applications for the Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund will close on January 8, and young people are reminded to apply before the deadline.

The Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund has awarded close to 500 scholarships since it began more than 20 years ago, and has seen local young people go off to a huge range of studies and careers.

The fund is a partnership between business, the local community and Gunnedah Shire Council that assists students with expenses such as textbooks, relocation, living expenses or tuition fees.

Gunnedah Shire Council can now add a new scholarship to its extensive list – "The Pamela Helen Rickard Scholarship".

Very generous sponsors, who have asked to remain anonymous, have donated a substantial amount of funds for this scholarship, which are to be disbursed as $2,500 per student, per year, with a maximum of three full-time students per scholarship year, to attend the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, preferably to study Asian Studies, Economics or Business Management. In the event that no student is looking to undertake studies in these areas, there is the potential to look at a scholarship for a student who will be enrolling in any other ‘full-time’ course at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra. The funds will be disbursed each year until all expended.

The sponsors have created the scholarship in honour of Pamela Helen Rickard, who was the Dux of Gunnedah High School in 1969. Pamela attended the Australian National University from 1970 to 1972, undertaking a combined Asian Studies/Economics degree and was a prize-winner in Economic History.

Pamela spent many years in administration at Monash University, including in the role of assistant to the Dean of the Faculty of Law in the 1990s, utilising her strong personal skills backed by her academic studies, including a Graduate Diploma in Business Management.

The sponsors said Pamela was always very proud of her Gunnedah roots, and believed deeply in the value of education and the encouragement and provision of opportunities for young people.

Young people can apply for this or another Gunnedah Community Scholarship and take a look at the guidelines online at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au. Applications close on Wednesday, 8 January 2025 at 5pm to allow time for students to receive university offers. Applicants will need two references with at least one from an education institution.

In 2024, 28 young people were assisted in starting their education adventure through the fund.

If you, your business or community group would like to become a sponsor of the Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund, please contact Council on (02) 6740 2100 or council@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

ENDS

Media and communications team contact: (02) 6740 2100 or communications@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au