STUDYING in Bendigo is about to get easier for Manangatang local Gemma Cleeland,
who has been named as the third annual Swan Hill Field Days Scholarship
recipient.
Run by Mallee Family Care’s Chances for Children foundation, the
scholarship was created due to a substantial donation from the Swan Hill
Agricultural Field Days committee after the cancellation of the long-running
event in 2010.
The annual scholarship is awarded to a local who wishes to
study in agriculture or a related industry that supports the rural economy.
Ms Cleeland, who undertook a Bachelor of Accounting this year, said she was
surprised to receive a call at the end of May, given she hadn’t even nominated
for the scholarship.
Due to a lack of nominations, Mallee Family Care
assessed young people who had previously been assisted through the Chances for
Children foundation, and deemed her situation to be the ‘closest fit’ for the
scholarship requirements, Ms Cleeland said.
Completing an accounting
traineeship in Swan Hill last year and volunteering with local sporting clubs,
the ladies hospital auxiliary and the Meals on Wheels program helped cement her
position.
Through the scholarship, the former Manangatang P-12 College
student will be financially assisted in her accounting course at Bendigo’s La
Trobe University campus for the rest of her studies.
She will also be given
support for living away from home and has been matched to a mentor who works as
an accountant in Bendigo.
For more of this story, see Wednesday’s Guardian (July 3).
