Eight students from the Cessnock local government area have each received a $2500 financial boost to help them fund their academic pursuits over the next 12 months.
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The recipients of Cessnock City Council’s annual Mayoral Academic Scholarships were announced at Cessnock Performing Arts Centre on Tuesday night.
This year marks the 17th year of the scholarships, and each of the winners was beaming with pride.
The winners (pictured above, with Cessnock mayor Bob Pynsent) were:
- Wendy Kirby – TAFE Scholarship (sponsored by Solo Resource Recovery)
- Marnie Bullen – Local Government Scholarship (sponsored by Kurri Kurri Retired Mineworkers Association)
- Christie-Lee Orchard – John Knipe Memorial Hospitality and Tourism Scholarship (sponsored by Cessnock Leagues Club)
- Ashley Fry – Post-HSC Scholarship (sponsored by Hunter Resource Recovery)
- Brandon Bendeich – Mining Scholarship (sponsored by Cessnock Retired Mineworkers Association)
- Caitlin Hayter – Undergraduate Scholarship (sponsored by Hunter Resource Recovery)
- Jessica Bonnici – Mining/Technical Engineering Scholarship (sponsored by Austar Coal Mine)
- Samuel Weekes – Building and Associated Trades Scholarship, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cessnock
Competition was tough this year as Cessnock City Council received many applications from local TAFE and university students who were hoping for extra support for their studies.
Cessnock mayor Bob Pynsent said it was a fantastic evening and he was proud to see this wonderful initiative grow each and every year.
“Since the inception of our Mayoral Academic Scholarships in 2002, we have helped 210 students and thanks to our sponsors we’ve given an incredible $525,000 to our promising young people,” he said.
“We believe the scholarships not only help students financially to achieve their academic goals but provide them with important recognition they are on the right track.”