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Monday 7 April 2003, Media Release

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED

A new Scholarship, aimed at getting more Aboriginal people into business and finance related studies, has been awarded to three university students from regional NSW.

Peter Johnson 28, of Walhallow, Melissa Verdich, 27, of Tea Gardens, and 19 year old Jeremy Wilson of Coffs Harbour are the first recipients of the NSWALC Freddy Fricke Scholarship, an initiative of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council.

"This year, we have awarded nearly $22,000 in Scholarships to help talented young Aboriginal people achieve career goals they might not otherwise have been able to," said NSW Aboriginal Land Council Chairperson Les Trindall.

The Scholarship is named after former Bondi Junction resident, Freddy Fricke, who donated his property to the NSW Aboriginal Land Council upon his death in 2000. The proceeds from the sale of this property, which totaled $537,000, have been set aside by NSWALC for the Scholarship in a trust fund.

Operated as a sub fund of the CAF Community Fund, the Scholarship sub fund is a partnership between NSWALC, Deutsche Assett Management, the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training, NSW Premier's Department, Aberdeen Asset Management, AMP and Perpetual Investments.

"This is a great example of community, government and the business sector working together to broaden opportunities for Aboriginal people," said Mr Trindall.

"We hope that the Scholarship will benefit not only the students but also the community as a whole, as many graduates may take their skills back to the community.

"There is a lack of Aboriginal people studying and working in business and commerce related professions, yet these are essential if we are to succeed as businesspeople and as managers of effective, accountable organisations," said Mr Trindall.

Scholarship recipient Jeremy Wilson has wanted to pursue a career in business since high school.

He is currently in his second year of a Bachelor of Business at Southern Cross University in Coffs Harbour.

"Getting an education is extremely important to me as my brother and I are the first in our family to go to university," said Jeremy.

"Throughout my first year of uni I was trying to juggle two jobs and full time study. The Scholarship has relieved that financial pressure so I can concentrate more on my studies this year."

Peter Johnson is a father of four studying for a Bachelor of Commerce/Indigenous Management at the University of New England. He plans to do a Graduate Diploma in Economics in 2005.

Peter sees himself working as an economic advisor or strategist for an Indigenous organisation in the future.

"Indigenous people with first class education should be at the forefront of delivering economic advice to Indigenous organisations, such as NSWALC and ATSIC, that are in a position to make positive change for Indigenous people," said Peter.

Melissa Verdich, from the mid north coast, has clear goals that she wishes to achieve.

"I want to become a fully qualified accountant servicing the needs of small business. As a young Aboriginal woman, I want to make a positive contribution to the community. Without this Scholarship I may not have been in a position to realise those goals," said Melissa.

The NSWALC Freddy Fricke Scholarship is awarded annually to Aboriginal students to cover expenses such as course fees, books and equipment. The funds are administered through their university or TAFE.

More information on the NSWALC Freddy Fricke Scholarship is available from the NSW Aboriginal Land Council website www.alc.org.au