Deserving students were presented with educational scholarships from the region’s largest support group for mentors last Tuesday.
Since the first two scholarships were presented in 2008, Mentor Support Network (MSN) has supported 175 students from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Upper Hunter, Cessnock, Dungog and Muswellbrook.
MSN Chair, Jon Chin said the educational scholarships would not be possible without the generous backing of their sponsors.
“The support from the wider business community andindustry enables us to offer a real lifeline to help keep students at school,” Jon said.
Mentor Support Network has been able to provide more than $400,000 in educational scholarships over the past decade. This year’s scholarships were made possible through the support of 2018 financial sponsors, Aurizon Community; ClubGRANTS NSW: Beresfield Bowling Club, East Maitland Bowling Club, Hexham Bowling Club and Mayfield Ex-Services Club; Hunter TAFE Foundation; Hunter Valley Training Company; Orica Kooragang Island Community Investment Program; Maitland Mutual Building Society; Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group; Port Waratah Coal Services; South Maitland Railways and the Bloomfield Group Foundation.
There were 26 recipients of 2018 educational scholarships. This year’s winners include: Agum Akec, Amber Hangar, Drew Mullilgan, Andrew Phillips, Shyler Dwyer, Catherine Faner, Caitlan Johnstone, Asher Calder, Dusty Miller, Courtney Sheehan, Farshad Bahrami, Hollie Eddon, Febe Kuku, Isabelle Delaney, Gemma Palmer, Kaitlan Morley, Gilbert Harabakunzi, Kyelah Roberts, Lilian Tu, Olivia Drayton, Matilda Brame, Shannie Arthur, Natalia Hogan, Sarah Hutchinson and Yves Sherma.
The scholarships are designed to assist disadvantaged secondary or tertiary level students aged 15 years or older who demonstrate the drive and determination to achieve educational goals whilst experiencing a level of hardship.
Established in 2005, Mentor Support Network supports youth development organisations in the Hunter by providing regular networking events, annual forums, scholarship programs and youth mentor training.
IMAGE | Mentor Support Network Chair, Jon Chin with recipients of the 2018 scholarships.