The Batemans Bay Youth Foundation grantees for 2018 have been announced and, with an audience of over 110 to cheer them on, thirteen students now have Grants to help fund their tertiary education. Peter Wood, Chairman of the Foundation, in presenting the grants assured the audience that each of the Grantees had one thing in common, - they intend to do their very best to succeed at whatever they undertake. "If one looks at most of the successful people in this great nation of ours, one will see that challenges did not frighten them, and they believed in hard work to achieve success." he said.
Above: The Batemans Bay Youth Foundation grantees for 2018 Back Row: Casey Evans, Chris Allison, Leon Katsanis, Emily Kinnane, Jennifer May, Harry Hadley, Olivia Faletoese, Meg McCallum, Jasmin FullerFront Row: Alex Filmer, Celeste Reid, Kye Oxley, John Rodwell This year’s Grantees are:- Casey Evans BA/B.Comms. & Media Univ. Of Wollongong Jennifer May B. Laws/BA Languages ditto Celeste Reid B.Visual Arts & Design ditto Emily Kinnane B. Exercise Science ditto Chris Allison B.Comp Sc – Cyber Sec ditto John Rodwell Carpentry Apprentice Tafe Moruya Kye Oxley BSc Physics/Maths Sydney Harry Hadley B. Contemp. Music Conservatory of Music Alexander Filmer B. Med Rad. Science Charles Sturt, Wagga Jasmin Fuller B.Nursing/Paramedicine ACU Canberra Leon Katsanis BSc ANU Meg McCallum BSc Psychology ANU Olivia Faletoese B.Music/B. Statistics ANU A total of $44,500 was paid out as Grants to these students. Since the start of the Foundation in 1994, a total of 195 students have received Grants, totalling $593,500. Not only is the Foundation a major institution, but it deserves the financial support of businesses and private people alike. Around $50,000 has to be raised each year as no grants are forthcoming from Government. The Foundation was established by the Rotary Club of Batemans Bay in 1994 and financing was provided by the Club, supplemented by donations obtained from sporting and service clubs in this area as well as from some individuals. Very limited funds were available, and in each of the first two years only one grant of $2500 was provided. The Foundation was governed by a trust deed and this continued for a number of years even though it was cumbersome and restrictive.After several years the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club and the RSL Sub Branch joined with Rotary as sponsors and both organisations appointed representatives to the committee. As a result of approaches made by the Foundation a relationship has been developed with educational and corporate institutions so that increased scholarships could be made available. The scholarships offered through this initiative are:- a) from University of Canberra - $5,000 total, divided between x students b) 3 from Australian National University - $3500 each c) 1 from University of Wollongong - $1000 (Hanging Rock only)d) University of Wollongong - $5,000 total, divided between x students Scholarships are “topped up” by the Foundation to $3,500 each.In all cases the Foundation is fully responsible for the selection of recipients. For more information visit the Foundation website www.bbyf.org.au
