Links

Thursday November 01 2007, Media Release

NSWALC'S EDUCATION REVOLUTION

The New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council has today announced plans for a multi-million dollar self funding education endowment fund.

The Council will officially launch the $30m scholarship, achievement and leadership scheme by December this year with the aim of assisting the primary, secondary, tertiary and technical education of Aboriginal people.

“This is our education revolution,” the NSWALC Chairperson, Ms Bev Manton, said today.

“It is one of the most exciting and innovative programs to be announced in the 25 year history of land rights in New South Wales,” she added.

“I am confident it will be seen as a clear demonstration of NSWALC’s ongoing commitment to the education of our people, their children and their children’s children.

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

“Education is a key factor in the well being of our people. Knowledge is power.

“There can be no more important step for this new Council to take.”

Ms Manton said the endowment fund had been in the planning stages for some months.

“The concept was originally raised and supported during the short term of the former NSWALC Administrator and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. William Johnstone,” she explained.

“The new Governing Council has spent its first months in office fully investigating all options on the future scope, shape and structure of the endowment fund with a range of financial, educational and philanthropic organisations.

“I’m happy to report we are now in the final stages of its development and will release full details before Christmas.”

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. In other words the seed funding will never leave the fund,” 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 said NSWALC acknowledged that 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 the growth in our Statutory Investment Fund and our land assets.

“The endowment 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.

It would provide opportunities for study at primary and secondary 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.

The new fund would not replace the existing and successful NSWALC scholarship scheme, the Freddie Fricke Foundation, which is operated for NSWALC by the Communities Aid Foundation, with limited funds.

Ms Manton said the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Paul Lynch had requested she note his commendation to the Council for its initiative.

“Education plays a vital role in empowering Aboriginal people,” Minister Lynch said.

“Investment in education is an investment into a better future for Aboriginal people in this state,” he added.

Ms Manton said the education endowment fund was the first major community benefits scheme to be announced by the organisation under the new provisions of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act.

Councillor Bev Manton
Chairperson
NSWALC.

Further information: Paul Molloy 0419 690 926