Country kids fly in for Swinburne experience

At the end of July, the Country Education Foundation (CEF) took six country kids to Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne for its open day. This was the first time in a few years that CEF has been able to undertake this sort of trip - and only possible due to Swinburne's generous funding for this excursion. 

Six students from Kempsey and Yass took up the offer.  The Kempsey students were nominated by the local Macleay Valley Education Fund which is supported by Mid Coast Connect. Chair, Terry Witchard coordinated the trip and his efforts were recognised by the national office. 

The four boys and two girls were engaged, enthusiastic and motivated by what Swinburne displayed. The students had a wide variety of interests - from psychology to linguistics, science to game development. Each student was able to check course offerings at the Hawthorn campus, along with the on-campus accommodation. 

While at Swinburne current CEF recipient Kiernan Moore was able to meet up with us and chat to the students, telling them about life at uni. Kiernan is from Kempsey and in his first year of study at Swinburne.

Feedback from the Year 12 students was positive and the students felt the experience was very worthwhile.

Applications for grants from the Hastings, Macleay Valley and Great Lakes Education Funds are now open.  See http://engage.cef.org.au/student/apply

Applications close 30 September.