Helping bush kids kick-start their careers with financial support for their studies is the aim of a Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) scheme which recently announced 10 recipients from the Orana region.

The RAS Foundation Rural Scholarship is an annual program that supports students “committed to making a difference in rural and regional Australia”.

The local recipients cover studies ranging from psychology, medicine, rural science, plumbing, and counselling and received up to $7000 to help with their training costs for their careers.

They are among 83 scholarship recipients from across rural and regional NSW and the ACT that have been recognised for their ambition to use their studies and future careers to give back to their communities and help build a stronger, more sustainable future, RAS Foundation Manager, Cecilia Logan, said.

“For many young people, pursuing tertiary education comes with significant financial challenges including the cost of tuition, relocating or travel, as well as daily living expenses. For students in rural and regional areas, those challenges are further amplified”, Ms Logan said.

“We want to ensure that location isn’t a barrier to opportunity for talented, hard-working students. This scholarship can provide the support and financial freedom they need to pursue their goals and ultimately make a positive impact in the communities that helped shape them,” she added.

Scholarships are all made possible through the generosity of RAS Foundation donors.

Since implementing its scholarship programs in 2009, the RAS Foundation has supported more than 1000 students across Australia, investing more than $6 million into educational scholarships, including specialised scholarships in fields such as regional journalism and the Australian wine industry.

Local winners include Abby Wilson, Dubbo (Bachelor of Physiotherapy); Anita McKenzie, Coonamble (Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science - Medical Imaging); Beth Tamme, Dubbo (Diploma of Counselling); Clair Stiff, Ballimore (Bachelor of Physiotherapy - Honours); Ella Payne, Warren (Bachelor of Agricultural Science); Georgia Briggs, Gilgandra (Bachelor of Education - Technology and Applied Studies); Jennifer Corderoy, Narromine (Bachelor of Rural Science - Honours); Keely Milford, Coonabarabran (Bachelor of Clinical Science - Medicine/Doctor of Medicine); Laura Harley, Nymagee (Bachelor of Education - Early Childhood and Primary); Samuel Roth, Mudgee (Certificate III in Plumbing).

Applications for the 2027 Rural Scholarships are now open and will close Monday, October 5, with the program open to students across NSW and the ACT who are currently enrolled or applying for study in an accredited tertiary course at an Australian university, college, or TAFE. For more information, visit: www.rasf.org.au.