THE memory of late Millicent politician Terry Roberts will continue to be honoured by Wattle Range Council after it extended its commitment to university scholarships for local students.
Mr Roberts was a Labor MLC from 1985 until his death in 2006 and was a cabinet minister for his last four years in office.
Council will support the Terry Roberts Memorial Flinders University scholarship scheme for a further four years and also enter into a new agreement with University of South Australia offering further support with a brand-new scholarship program.
The council scholarship program with UniSA will include two annual $2500 scholarships for a similar period.
Both programs offer support to students from the council area who will start undergraduate study with either educational institution.
The UniSA scholarship will be offered annually to one student studying at the Mount Gambier campus and one student who will relocate to study at one of its metropolitan campuses.
The Terry Robert Memorial Flinders University student scholarship, which dates back to 2007, will be altered in the coming year from offering up to five scholarships of $1000 each to the grant of two annual $2500 scholarships.
Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll OAM praised the scholarship initiatives.
“It is in the interests of the entire region to encourage our young people to undertake higher education,” Mr Noll said.
“Council has a smaller percentage of population (1pc) attending university compared to the state average of 4.7pc.
“These programs are designed to assist rural and regional students with the burdening costs of undertaking university study.
“This includes outlays for relocation, travel expenses, text books and the purchase of computer hardware and software.
“There is a clearly identified need and opportunity to then attract these people back to the region and the council area when they have completed their studies or undertaken initial work placements in metropolitan areas.
“This is something that council is continually working on”.
University of South Australia Mount Gambier regional manager Ian McKay welcomed council’s decision to extend its scholarship program.
“UniSA has a strong relationship with Wattle Range Council and we are aware of the council’s commitment to enhancing the educational opportunities for its residents,” Mr McKay said.
“The addition of two scholarships for students studying at UniSA will be a great benefit to students and we are appreciative of this initiative by the council,” he said.
Students are urged to contact their university to obtain further information on eligibility and the application process.
Mr Roberts was educated at the Convent of Mercy (now St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School) and Millicent High School and worked at the Kimberly-Clark Australia Millicent Mill.
His many sporting interests included golf, football and cricket and he was president of the Millicent Football Netball Club.
