THE Swan Hill Freemasons have provided four Year 12 graduates with scholarships worth $5000 each to go towards their tertiary education.
Emma Edelsten and Tara Andrews of Tooleybuc Central School (TCS) and Ava Thornton and Abbey Delmenico of Swan Hill College were the recipients of the annual scholarships.
All four showed academic excellence and did community volunteering work, which was a highlight of their achievements.
Rt worship brother James Thompson told The Guardian this year’s crop of scholarship recipients came from a very strong field.
“We have a set criteria, which is a ratings sheet – ATAR score is only 10 per cent of it – but there’s a whole range of other things we take into account such as community work and the course they’re intending to do, among others,” he said.
“We had a record number of applications this year – there were 20, and we had to shortlist it down to 10 for the interview process, which was very tough because they were all great candidates.
“It’s an exceptionally hard job to choose only four students from the field – the judges deliberated for a long time.”
The scholarships can go towards anything for their tertiary education, from textbooks to accommodation.
Ms Andrews was ecstatic to receive the scholarship.
“It’s great that the Freemasons do this, and I’m very honoured to receive it,” she said.
“When I came in to be selected, it felt like I was on stage for calisthenics again, except this time I was talking instead of dancing.”
Ms Edelsten, TCS school captain and Year 12 dux, said: “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity you have given us, and it will be very helpful at university, which I can’t wait to get started with.”
Swan Hill Mayor Les McPhee gave words of advice in a speech to recipients.
“A lot of our kids in regional areas go on to bigger and better things, but we certainly encourage you all to come back because this is your roots,” he said.
“Community is crucial, especially in the country, and so is education in your life, but make sure you enjoy it because if you don’t enjoy it, you won’t do well.”
