The Country Education Foundation of Australia held its annual conference in Sydney this June. The conference was well attended with representatives from the now 44 member foundations across Australia.
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The Hon Tim Fischer AC, former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, opened the Conference by congratulating CEFA on its record of assisting rural and regional students and communities across Australia.
“In ten vigorous years the Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEFA) has lifted the lives of many, but in the process lifted the fabric of many communities and the State and Nation,” Mr Fischer said. “I salute all involved in this vital effort that has made a decisive difference,” he said.
Ms Sarah Taylor (CEFA CEO) discussed a range of issues affecting the education and career prospects of rural and regional youth, including the obstacles created by the enormous cost of travel and accommodation. The Country Education Foundation of Australia has a network of foundations across NSW, SA, NT and Qld which raise money to help students pay for education expenses related to university or TAFE – the bulk of these grants are for accommodation, travel, books and equipment.
Mr. Nick Burton Taylor made special mention of Braidwood’s exemplary record of making an Education Scholarship available to 131 students, valued at over $210,000 during the past 9 years. The Braidwood Education Foundation was a very early participant in the CEFA movement and now recognized as a model foundation within the group.
“The Conference was a great opportunity for us to get together with volunteers from across Australia and discuss ways to improve the work we do helping disadvantaged rural and regional students to get into uni, TAFE and jobs once they leave school.
“We exchanged ideas on fundraising, student mentoring and the different pathways young people can take to get into study or work once they’ve left school.”
