Helping hand to realise their dreams: Campbell Robbins and Bailey Corbett have received two-years scholarships. Picture: Yanni

ROSEBUD Secondary College students Campbell Robbins and Bailey Corbett are among 20 state secondary school students sharing in $100,000 in Marrung Education Scholarship Awards.

Campbell, who is hoping to become a park ranger and Bailey a fashion designer, received two-year scholarships valued at $5000.

The grants are going to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander government school students to “help them thrive in the final years of their secondary education”.

More than 160 students have shared in over $820,000 in scholarships since 2009. Students recognised have demonstrated potential in their chosen careers, strong academic results and involvement in their Aboriginal community.

The number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students completing the Victorian Certificate of Education, Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning or VET in Schools Certificate has risen over the past five years – more than doubling from 271 in 2011 to 570 in 2016.

Victorian Aboriginal Education Association president Geraldine Atkinson said

the scholarships had provided students with opportunities as they progress through their education.

“In 2016, we had 570 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students graduate from Year 12, and we will continue to see this number grow,” he said.

Education minister James Merlino and Aboriginal Affairs minister Natalie Hutchins last week announced that applications were open for next year’s Marrung Education Scholarship Awards.

“We developed the Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan 2016-2026 in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to help young Victorians succeed in their education choices,” Mr Merlino said.

“These scholarships are a key part of this plan: we want Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to realise the full benefits of our education reforms across early childhood, schools and vocational education and training.”

Ms Hutchins said: “The Marrung Education Scholarships will help improve education, health and employment outcomes for Aboriginal Victorian students. It’s an important step forward that I am proud to support.”

First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 7 November 2017