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Sunday February 24 2008, Media Release

KOORI STUDENTS SHOULD ACT NOW TO JOIN NSW ABORIGINAL LAND COUNCIL'S EDUCATION REVOLUTION

Aboriginal students wanting to take part in the NSW Aboriginal Land Council’s education revolution should act now to apply for scholarships because time is running out.

Applications for a scholarship from NSWALC’s $30 million Education Endowment Fund or the Freddy Fricke Scholarship for tertiary students have to be completed and posted to the
Charities Aid Foundation by 5 PM on Friday 29 February, 2008.

NSWALC Chairperson, Bev Manton, said there had been overwhelming public interest in the scholarships from parents, students and schools across the state.

“Students of all ages are eligible to apply for assistance from the Education Endowment Fund while the Freddy Fricke Scholarship offers individual funding of up to $10,000 for tertiary students,” Ms Manton said.

“It is very pleasing to have received a strong positive response to our Education Revolution initiative. While others talk about improving educational opportunities for Aboriginal students, NSWALC is actually putting its money where its mouth is.
“We believe education is the key to reducing disadvantage and securing more opportunities for the improved lives and well being of Aboriginal people.”

The new Education Endowment Fund will eventually provide up to 200 scholarships a year for students ranging from primary school age to mature age students.

The Freddy Fricke Scholarship seeks to address the relative lack of Aboriginal people working in professions including medicine, finance and commerce.

“These roles are vital to our communities and organisations and our future self determination,” Ms Manton said.

Preference will be given to scholarship applications by members of Local Aboriginal Land Councils and their children.

Nomination forms for the two scholarship programs can be downloaded from NSWALC’s website: www.alc.org.au

Nomination forms for the scholarship programs need to be completed and forwarded to Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) Australia by close of business on 29 February, 2008.

CAF inquiries should be directed to the National Manager Foundation Services, Marlene MacFarlane on (02) 9929 9633.

Further information: Paul Molloy (02) 6124 3562 / 0419 690 926