Molly Wright, Emma Rice and Mikaela Dart.
Three female students in the Parkes Shire made it to the final cut to receive scholarships from the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation (RASF).
Emma Rice from Parkes and Peak Hill’s Mikaela Dart and Molly Wright are among the 21 recipients from the Central West and Orana. A total of 73 scholarships were awarded under the 2020 program.
Emma (21), who grew up on a mixed livestock and cropping property in Parkes, is doing a Masters of Teaching at the University of New England (UNE). She has always been interested in combining agricultural science and the education of young people in rural areas. Emma completed her Bachelor of Agriculture also at UNE. She believes the longevity of regional communities is reliant on quality schools and educational facilities.
Mikaela (23) is enrolled at UNE in Armidale and is studying a Bachelor of Nursing via distance education. She is passionate about health and in particular emergency nursing and mental health. She is hoping to work in Peak Hill after graduation to help support the much-needed services of rural towns.
Molly (20) is in the second year of her Diploma of Agribusiness Management through Wagga Wagga PIC. She also works in the family enterprise of sheep, beef, cattle and cropping. Wanting to promote agriculture and her regional community, Molly is focused on the business and management aspects of running a property, along with sustainable techniques. She hopes to use her education to help others in regional areas.
The RASF scholarships, awarded to regional and rural students who are studying at a NSW university or TAFE, support students seeking further education with the goal of injecting their new skills back into rural areas.
The scholarships offer financial grants of $6,000 for full-time study and $3,000 for part-time study to give students the freedom to study without the stress and financial challenges brought about by the need to relocate.