Forty-one Mid Cantabrians have this week received Advance Ashburton Community Foundation scholarships to assist with study, training and personal development.
AACF chief executive Carolyn Clough said at a presentation evening at the Ashburton Event Centre it was the highest number and value of scholarships the foundation had awarded it is history.
‘‘We are able to present all these scholarships thanks to local donors and organisations,’’ Clough said.
The premier scholarship of the evening, the Neil Sinclair Memorial Scholarship, was presented to Rosie Gray. Gray is in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts at Otago University.
‘‘Rosie impressed the interview panel as a highly motivated, intelligent, and empathetic young woman who actively gives back to the community,’’ Clough said.
Gray said she was astounded to find out she had been awarded the top scholarship.
‘‘I was not expecting this. It is incredible to have received this award and to be recognised,’’ Gray said.
She will use the scholarship towards the cost of her fees. While she had never meet Neil she had heard from others what a wonderful person he was and how much he had contributed to the community.
The late Neil Sinclair established the Advance Ashburton Community Foundation in 2003 and was passionate about supporting the community.
Gray is the 10th recipient of this scholarship, made possible through the generosity of the Sinclair family in Neil’s memory. Neil was represented at the ceremony by his grandson, Sam Crosbie, who was pleased to award the scholarship to Gray as a very worthy recipient.
A significant milestone was reached this year with AACF awarding of the 100th Ashburton Jaycees Scholarship to Ella Rickard to join the Spirit of Adventure.
The Ashburton Jaycees Chapter wound up in 2008 and settled their remaining funds with Advance Ashburton so the asset could support scholarships for both personal development and industry training in perpetuity.
The following scholarships were also awarded: Smyth Scholarship – Laura Winchester and Ben Simons.
Kate Syme Scholarship – Chloe Robinson.
Glass Family Scholarship – June Tilialo and Janre Lim.
van der Kley Family Scholarship – Anna Tu’amoheloa.
Graham Gunn Music Scholarship – Chloe Graham.
Colin and Alison Crampton Music and Arts Scholarship – Isabel Wang.
Johnston Brothers Health Science Scholarship – Lauren Pluck, Leah Johnson, Olivia Pearce and Annina Birt.
Dennis and Barbara Taylor Nursing Scholarship – Charlotte Gray.
Ashburton UFS Health Science Scholarship – Brianna Sloper, Magdalene Haugh, Laura Doig, Olivia Studholme, Kaimana Acidera, Barbara O’Connor, Elizabeth Galletly, Darren Cavill and Amelia Harris.
Tinwald Club Scholarship – Neil Alombro.
Rotary Club of Ashburton Plains Scholarship – Nathan Speedy.
Ashburton Jaycees Personal Development Scholarship – Molly Jones, Ella Rickard and Olivia Fox.
Ashburton Jaycees Industry Training Scholarship – Nicholas Collie, Keegan Gentle, Faith Tait, Joel McDonald and Isobel McMahon. Ian Glassey Memorial Scholarship – Amelie Robertson and Jorja Roulston.
Parsons Family Scholarship – Eddie Millichamp.
Cameron Family Scholarship – Grace Bleach.
Frank Crampton Agricultural Scholarship – Victoria Talbot and Sam Orr.
Advance Ashburton Scholarship – Jessica Bleach and Sarah Wilcox.
