An inspiring evening celebrating Narooma’s youth was enjoyed by Rotarians and guests last Thursday at their first meeting back at Narooma Golf Club.
Guest speakers were Narooma Rotary Tertiary Scholarship winners Elise Dixon (2021), Rory Spurgeon (2020), and Tahlia Arnold, Narooma High Principal Fiona Jackson and School Captains Abbey Dawson and Patrick Sly.
Narooma’s Rotary Tertiary Scholarship scheme started with a $108,000 bequest from the late Alexander Birch in 1989/1990 to help Narooma High students pursue tertiary studies.
“Elise is our 31st Scholar with assistance totalling $267,000 so far,” said Rotary Vice President Bob Aston. The scheme’s days are numbered with funds for only a few more scholarships, valued at $9,000 over three years.
Rotarians enjoyed meeting their latest Scholar Elise Dixon who will do a Bachelor of Medical Science through the ANU. She thanked the Club for this “amazing opportunity”.
Rory Spurgeon continues his Bachelor of Science Honours degree at ANU (Physics major). His first four weeks of university “were wonderful” but then Covid restrictions forced studies online, except for Chemistry practicals.
The 2019 Scholar Cassidy Kerr was unable to be there; she is doing a double degree in Law and Psychology at Wollongong.
Tahlia Arnold had won a partial scholarship for her psychology degree, since completed.
Fiona Jackson explained that communications was key to the School’s 2020 success, particularly during the bushfires. She praised staff and students for their resilience and adapting quickly to teaching under Covid. Unlike most schools, Years 11-12 had four days face-to-face teaching each week.
Narooma Rotary Tertiary scholars with their Club counsellors: Lynda Ord, left, Tahlia Arnold, Lynn Hastings, Elise Dixon (2021), Rory Spurgeon (2020) and Bob Aston.
Narooma Rotary’s latest Tertiary Scholarship winner is Elise Dixon with her Rotary Counsellor Lynn Hastings.
Tertiary Scholarship winner Elsie Dixon, left, with 2021 School Captains Abbey Dawson and Patrick Sly, with Narooma High Principal Fiona Jackson.
