Rodney Stevens
Year 12 graduates who live in the Iluka and Woombah areas and are intending to study at university in 2025 are encouraged to apply for inaugural, generous $2000 scholarships from the Rotary Club of Iluka Woombah designed to aid their move out of home.
Rotary Club of Iluka Woombah President Craig Budd said the club decided to introduce the scholarships using the proceeds from the 2024 Pignic Races due to the current cost-of-living crisis, after offering local primary school students transitioning to secondary school financial assistance for many years.
“Iluka Woombah Rotary Club has supported schools at Chatsworth Island, Harwood Island, and Iluka Public with scholarships for year six students going into high school for a long time through the Gary Faulks Memorial scholarship,” he said.
“Gary was a member of Rotary, and he was also a Clarence Valley teacher and Principal at Gulmarrad Public School and when he passed away, we created a memorial.
“We have just presented nine Gary Faulks Memorial scholarships to students from the three schools to help cover costs of fees and materials when they go to high school.”
After the most successful Pignic Races yet in 2024, Mr Budd said as all of the money raised from the event goes to children’s charities it was suggested to launch the university scholarships.
“After the last Pignic Races we were looking at where we could spend some money in Iluka and Woombah, and it was brought up that if you want to attend university you have to leave town, there’s no other option, and a barrier to that is the cost of setting up,” he said.
Thus, the scholarships and their guidelines were developed by the club.
Mr Budd said the two $2000 scholarships are intended to support students transitioning from living at home to university life and help them achieve their dreams.
“These scholarships are designed to help ease the challenges of starting your next big chapter,” he said.
To be eligible to apply for a scholarship you must have attended Year 12 in 2024, are planning to attend university in 2025, and be a permanent resident of either Iluka or Woombah.
Applications close at midday on December 31, 2024.
Email ilukawoombahsec@outlook.com for an application form or contact Iluka Woombah Rotary on 0482 040 278 and leave your details and a friendly Rotarian will get back to you.