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Tuesday 16 July 2002, Media Release

NSW ABORIGINAL LAND COUNCIL LAUNCHES NEW SCHOLARSHIP

As part of its ongoing commitment to the empowerment of the Aboriginal people of NSW, the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) will today launch a new scholarship for Aboriginal students.

Called the NSWALC Freddy Fricke Scholarship after its founding benefactor, the Scholarship aims to support Aboriginal students interested in studying business or commerce related disciplines.

"This Scholarship seeks to address the lack of Aboriginal people working in areas such as finance, accounting, banking and commerce. We at the Land Council know from first hand experience that these roles are vital to our communities and organisations and our future self determination", Chairperson of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Rod Towney said.

Operated as a Sub Fund of CAF Community Fund, the Scholarship has attracted financial commitments of $30,000 from both the Commonwealth Department of Education Science and Training and Deutsche Asset Management.

"Because the Scholarship is established through CAF (Charities Aid Foundation), any donations are tax deductible making support attractive to financial institutions and businesses who are seeking to support Aboriginal programs," Chairman Towney said.

The Sub Fund was established after Mr Frederick (Freddy) Fricke bequeathed his Bondi Junction property to the NSWALC upon his death in 2000. The Land Council believed that establishing a scholarship would not only be a way to honour Mr Fricke, but also to deliver a lasting benefit for the empowerment of Aboriginal people.

Chairman Towney said this was the first time that the Land Council had worked with the business community to deliver benefits to Aboriginal people.

"The cooperation between the business community and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council certainly breaks new ground and is an exciting precedent for future cooperation.

Hosted by the Deputy Premier and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Dr Andrew Refshauge, the launch will be attended by the Scholarship's patrons, Justice Marcus Einfeld and Councillor Kathryn Greiner, as well as members of the finance and banking communities.

The Deputy Premier and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Dr Andrew Refshauge, will launch the Freddy Fricke Scholarship today (Tuesday July 16, 2002), at Level 41, Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney at 3pm.