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Monday December 10 2007, Media Release

OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF NSWALC'S EDUCATION REVOLUTION

A multi-million dollar education scholarship fund financed by the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council and targeted at providing Aboriginal people with a broad range of educational and vocational opportunities was officially launched in Sydney today.

The $30m NSWALC Education Endowment Fund was launched by the Chairperson of the nine-member NSWALC Governing Council, Bev Manton, and Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Mr. Paul Lynch at a ceremony at the organisation’s Parramatta headquarters today.

Ms Manton told assembled guests the scholarship, achievement and leadership scheme was one of the most exciting and innovative programs to be announced in the 25 year history of land rights in New South Wales.

“I’ve said it before, and I will no doubt say it again, this is our education revolution,” she added.

“There is a large body of research which emphasises the pivotal role of education in reducing the long term disadvantage of our people.

“Education is a key factor in the well being of our people. There can be no more important step for this new Council to take.

“There can be no better dedication of compensation monies for the dispossession of our land than to help build a better future for our people by assisting them to achieve their full potential.”

Ms Manton said the Council had quarantined $30m of its Statutory Investment Fund as seed funding for the endowment scheme.

“We will finance the scholarship each year from the interest generated from those funds,” she said.

“We anticipate this will provide up to two million dollars in scholarship monies each year in perpetuity. We are advised we will be able to provide scholarships for up to 200 students each year.”

Ms Manton announced the endowment fund would be administered by CAF Australia (Charities Aid Foundation), an international not for profit organisation, which currently administers NSWALC’s Freddy Fricke Scholarship.

CAF would be responsible for the full administration of the fund, the application process, financial management of the income from the fund, all associated due diligence and legal compliance.

Ms Manton said three representatives of the NSWALC and one representative from CAF Australia would soon be appointed to a Board to oversee the fund. An Advisory Committee comprising qualified persons appointed by that Board would sit with the three-member Board on the Scholarship Selection Committee.

The fund would be heavily promoted by NSWALC and CAF Australia early in the new year. Application forms to access the fund would be available on both the NSWALC and CAF Australia websites in the next few weeks or by application direct to the two organisations.

Ms Manton today re-emphasised that NSWALC acknowledged education was the primary responsibility of the New South Wales government with the Commonwealth Government providing a strategic and funding role with specific Aboriginal education initiatives.

“Without detracting from those responsibilities, NSWALC has taken the view that we should carefully consider an investment in the education of our people by assisting in the creation of a new generation, and successive generations, who are better educated and can take advantage of opportunities to create a more productive life path,“ Ms Manton added.

“One way of doing this was to provide scholarships and other financial support for our people in need and for those who show additional promise.

“NSWALC is now in a financially strong position to establish the scholarship and educational support fund thanks to the combined benefit of our Statutory Investment Fund and land assets.

“The fund will aim to provide on-going support and benefits for Aboriginal people across the entire spectrum of educational opportunities, including mature age students.

“We do not believe this support should replace existing benefits available to Aboriginal people in NSW but should supplement the available resources through special initiatives and by generating greater community involvement in assisting those who wish to pursue their education.”

Awards under the scheme would be open to all Aboriginal people in NSW with preference given to members of Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

It would provide opportunities for study at schools, higher learning institutions, colleges and universities.

Scholarship monies provided would vary with the circumstances of the individual.

The eligibility criteria would cover financial need, academic performance, connection with the Aboriginal community, commitment to the field of study and leadership potential.

A supplementary focus of the scheme, in conjunction with educational institutions and business, would be to connect Aboriginal people with job and career opportunities in key areas of Aboriginal development.

The program would have a strong community focus by encouraging communities to get behind students. The program would also allow students to attend boarding schools, where appropriate, and give them a greater chance to stay at school and qualify for tertiary study.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister Lynch said the scholarship would benefit Aboriginal people aspiring to tertiary and technical education.

“This ground breaking fund is proof the NSW Aboriginal Land Council is one of the most significant political bodies for Aboriginal people in Australia,” Mr Lynch said.

“The NSW Government will continue to work with NSWALC to deliver the economic and social outcomes of the F1 priority of the NSW State Plan, including improved health, education and social outcomes.”

Media Contacts:

NSWALC: Paul Molloy 0419 690 926
Minister’s Office: Andrew Williams 0408 602 936