Thirty-one young people are getting a headstart in their tertiary pursuits, thanks to the Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund (GCSF).
The successful recipients were announced at a presentation in The Civic on Wednesday.
GCSF Chair Councillor Linda Newell said it was wonderful to meet so many motivated students and help them on their way towards careers in fields including biomedical science, software engineering, education, business and law.
"We know now, more than ever, that living expenses are high and these costs make it especially difficult when you are first starting out," Ms Newell said.
"We hope these scholarships will help to ease some of the financial burden these students experience as they pursue their tertiary dreams."
This year's guest speaker was past scholarship recipient Haylee Murrell. Haylee was born and raised in Gunnedah and attended Gunnedah High School. She received a scholarship in 2019 and 2020, which aided her to complete a Bachelor of Rural Science, majoring in Plant Production, at the University of New England Armidale. She now works at Pursehouse Rural Gunnedah as a second-year Agronomist.
Ms Murrell encouraged the applicants to keep in mind that "it sometimes doesn't always go how you planned" and to ask for help when they needed it.
"Build your community, and don't be afraid to use them," she said.
"Use this scholarship to the best of your ability. I wouldn't have survived my first two years without it. It helped me a afford a tutor, my textbooks … I couldn't have done it without my community.
"This is your community; they are ready to back you in whatever way that looks like for you."
Two new scholarships were added to the initiative for the 2026 round - The Eli Kelly Mechanical Scholarship and the Vera Banks Environmental Scholarship.
The Eli Kelly Mechanical Scholarship is for a student undertaking a minimum Certificate IV or full-time tertiary studies in engineering or a mechanical-based field. Trade examples may include working towards qualifications as a Boilermaker or Fitter Machinist, based in Gunnedah and under the age of 25 years, and meets the GCSF criteria.
The scholarship is in honour of Eli Kelly who tragically lost his life in April 2024 in a mining-related accident while working at a Western Australian mine site. Eli was a valued and integral employee and had worked at a local engineering business for four years. He demonstrated his commitment to his work, completing his Fitter Machinist Apprenticeship in March 2024.
The Vera Banks Environmental Scholarship is in memory of Vera Banks, a founding member of Gunnedah Urban Landcare Group. As part of her extensive contribution to supporting the environment, she penned the Management Plans for Bindea and Porcupine Reserves, conducted a study on tree dieback in the area, and undertook studies and work on the Namoi Riverine stability and environment.
The scholarship fund would not be possible without the support of numerous sponsors, including Rotary Club of Gunnedah West, NAB, Rotary Club of Gunnedah, Namoi Valley Bricks, Many Fabrications and Engineering, Michel + White Lawyers, Forsyths, PRAMS, ORICA, Whitehaven Coal, GBP Cranes Pty Ltd, Santos Limited, Club Gunnedah, Idemitsu Boggabri Coal, Lear and Smith, Gunnedah Shire Council, Carter's Pharmacy and Barber Street Medical.
Thanks also to the sponsors of The Eli Kelly Mechanical Scholarship, Pamela Helen Rickard Scholarship and Vera Banks Environmental Scholarship.
The 2026 Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund recipients are:
- Alice Donnelly
- Claire Barnes
- Indiella Bryers
- Azaria Murray
- Grace Hutchins
- Elijah Pease
- Hanyuen Vilanculos
- Liam Reid
- Nate Young
- Cayla McInerney
- Alice Swain
- Mackenzie Leader
- Abbie Passfield
- Rhegan Jaeger
- Amelia Lush
- Clare Canham
- Reuben Bekker
- Rosie Snape
- Claire McGuirk
- Lucy Lawrence
- Chelsie Smith
- Mia Jackson
- Mikayla Straney
- Isabelle Moore
- Lily Jensen
- Ethan Tighe
- Kaleb McIlveen
- Carter McIlveen
- CJ Lim
- Joslyn Bard
- William Mannion
More than 550 scholarships have been awarded since the fund's inception in 2003.
"A big thank you to the scholarship fund working group for their support throughout the process, and congratulations to all the successful applicants," Ms Newell said.
Caption: There are 31 successful applicants in the 2026 round of the Gunnedah Community Scholarship Fund. Some applicants were unable to attend the presentation.
