Brisbane Water Legacy Club, has signed an agreement with TAFE NSW, HVTC and Hunter Foundation, for scholarships for the descendants of Veterans to enable Vocational and Educational Training programs.
Brisbane Water Legacy Club will fund the scholarships for eligible applicants. “At Brisbane Water Legacy Club, we honour the sacrifi ce made by veterans during their service to our country. “One way to realise our debt to their sacrifice is by supporting the ambitions of their descendants,” Mr Peter Lawley, CEO of Brisbane Water Legacy said. “We do this by providing financial assistance throughout their schooling and, where applicable, funding through Scholarships for further education and training. “Brisbane Water Legacy Club established a Scholarships fund in 2001.
“The fund provides financial support to eligible applicants who wish to pursue further education. “In 2017, scholarships totalling $325,000 have been funded for 34 applicants. “This new partnership agreement with the parties will establish a structured framework for applicants to our Scholarships programme who choose to pursue VET. “The programme is structured with an identified end goal, that being a job,” Mr Lawley said. Two Central Coast locals have reflected on what receiving their Brisbane Water Legacy Scholarship (BWLS) meant to them. Wyong’s, Ms Rosebud Lambert, who received a scholarship in 2004-2006, said her BWLS helped her achieve her dream career. “I studied a Bachelor of Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of NSW from 2004 to 2007, and received the Brisbane Water Legacy Club Scholarship for part of my four years of study,” Ms Lambert said.
“This course entailed studying various renewable energy technologies to produce electricity, such as photovoltaics (solar cells), solar thermal, wind turbines, biomass and geothermal technologies, as well other sustainability principles such as environmentally friendly architecture. “At the time this was a new degree which bridged across multiple disciplines of mechanical and electrical engineering. “At the end of my degree, I graduated with First Class Honours and was eligible to become a registered member of Engineers Australia,” she continued.
“The scholarship was not only a welcome financial support, but through the ongoing support of Legacy, I also gained a new found support network who I felt had a genuine interest in me. “The scholarship gave me confidence to face the many challenges that studying at a university away from your home area presented. “Along the way, I have also studied a master degree in Sustainability in Portugal and published articles in scientific journals. “Currently, I am working in Portugal in the logistics area but have plans to travel and then return to Australia in the near future,” Ms Lambert said. Bateau Bay’s Mr Joseph Garden was the 2014-2016 BWLS recipient. “I have been a proud recipient of the Brisbane Water Legacy scholarship since 2014 and it has signifi cantly changed my life for the better,” Mr Garden said.
“It has eased a considerable amount of stress on an already stressful exploration by myself into tertiary education. “For the past four years, I have been enrolled in the University of Newcastle studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in History. “For three years, I completed the undergraduate degree, maintaining a credit average which has allowed me to continue to the Honours level in which I am currently undertaking. “The possibility of writing a 15,000 word thesis on a topic of my choice would have seemed ludicrous to a year 12 student all the way back in 2013, but here I am relishing the opportunity given to me.
“Next year I have gained entry into a two year Masters of Teaching degree which will go hand in hand with my History degree. “Hopefully the combination of an Honours Arts degree and a Masters in Teaching should provide myself with employment opportunities, not just here in Australia, but also around the world,” Mr Garden concluded.
Source: Media release, Sep 13 Peter Lawley, Brisbane Water Legacy