Each year the RASF provides scholarships for country students to help them with their studies. There is no limit on the types of courses that qualify or the age of the students. They could be studying anything from physiotherapy, engineering, teaching, agricultural science, horticulture, medicine, nursing, wool classing and commerce … and almost everything in between. The scholars can be at university, TAFE or doing VET courses, studying on campus or online. However they all have one thing in common — a desire to play an active part in the future of rural NSW. Since 2011 the RASF has awarded $1.7 million to 370 scholarship winners and the recent ceremony added 64 new recipients to the honour roll.
The Sydney Showground event was a great opportunity to learn more about the students and the impact the scholarships have on their lives, allowing them to focus on study and work experience and help with the costs of living away from home. For the Australian Country team it was lovely to catch up with our very own scholarship winner, Katrina Nash, and meet her parents, Karen and Eddie. Congratulations to all.