Scholarships make a difference

Applications are open for Federation Trainee Teacher Scholarships for 2004. KERRI CARR speaks to one of this year's recipients.

Hand writing assignments is now a thing of the past for 2003 Federation Trainee Teacher Scholarship (rural/remote area) recipient Lisa-Gai Fairey. Ms Fairey, from Byrock in the north-west of the state, is an external student at the University of New England, Armidale, studying to become a primary school teacher, and with her scholarship money she was able to buy a computer.

Ms Fairey applied for the scholarship after a teacher she knows told her about it.
"I was hand writing my assignments, as I didn't have a computer, as money is pretty tight in the country with the drought," she said.
"A few of my assignments were sent back because they weren't typed, so I had to make special arrangements and re-submit them.
"Having a baby [now eight months] made it difficult," she added.
Ms Fairey said the computer has "made a hell of a lot of difference".

She started studying to become a teacher years ago, but when she had her first child (now 13 years old), she put her teaching career on hold. She's been a teachers aide in the interim, but then decided it was time to return to study.

In her application for a scholarship, Ms Fairey spoke of the value of public education: "Public education is valuable in our society as it gives all children an equal opportunity to develop to their full potential," she said.

"As I live in a rural and remote community I have seen first hand the benefits of the public system. Students are supported to obtain the highest possible level of education. Without the system of public education these children would suffer." In 2004 Federation will be offering 11 scholarships to the value of $2000 each. One of these scholarships is courtesy of the Retired Teachers Association. Closing date for applications is 5pm Wednesday February 25, 2004. More information is currently located on Federation's website at www.nswtf.org.au on the front page under "Women's Program".

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November 2003 contents