THREE western Victorian students have received $3000 to boost their future studies as part of the Glenelg Shire Council’s Aboriginal Education Scholarship program.
Casterton’s Riley Munro, 16, Portland’s Jakobe Walker, 16, and Heywood’s Peter James (PJ) Barker-Lovett, 19, will use the funds to cover the financial costs of their respective studies.
Riley’s scholarship will support his secondary education at Casterton Secondary College.
“The funding will help provide me with the resources to achieve good results in my study as well as an opportunity to attend excursions and camps,” he said.
“Overall, I hope to do well in school to represent my Indigenous community, get accepted into a university course and find and enjoyable and satisfying career path.”
As the first person in his immediate family to attend a private school, Jakobe will use the funds to support his transition from Heywood Secondary College to Portland’s Bayview College, covering costs such as school fees, technology and uniform purchases.
His ultimate goal is to study Sports Science or a related degree after secondary school.
PJ’s scholarship will contribute towards his Certificate III in Business at South West TAFE, which he is currently completing as part of his employment at Gunditj Mirring Aboriginal Corporation.
“This will be a great and helpful scholarship and will help me get the help needed to complete my Certificate, including tutoring,” he said.
Glenelg Shire Mayor Cr Anita Rank said research showed only two of 10 Aboriginal students within shire remained in school to complete Year 12 study.
“These grants are an important catalyst to create change and reverse this trend,” Cr Rank said.
The Glenelg Shire Council Aboriginal Education Scholarship program has been offered since 2014 and encourages Glenelg Shire based Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander residents to study beyond Year 12.
