ALA

Friday, 05 September 2008

A record 71 scholarships were awarded by the Brumby Government yesterday to help students living in public housing complete their school or TAFE courses.
Housing Minister Richard Wynne made the presentations to students at the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre as part of the celebrations of Public Housing Week.

“The Brumby Government is taking action to support young people to develop their potential and one of the best ways we can do that is to provide a good education,” Mr Wynne said.

“The 71 scholarships being awarded will help students to achieve that potential by providing practical, financial support to assist them to complete their school or TAFE year.”

Mr Wynne said the scholarships could be used to cover expenses such as school books and stationary, excursions or child care.

“Educational scholarships can have life-long benefits for students, their families and the broader community. They help to give our youth a future,” Mr Wynne said.

Aimed at young residents, the Housing Week Scholarships Program provides $1000 scholarships to support educational achievements and school retention. 

Mr Wynne said Housing Week, held from 31 August – 7 September 2008 was a timely reminder of the significant contribution public and community housing residents make to our society.

“Housing Week is Victoria’s annual celebration of public and community housing residents, acknowledging their achievements, diversity and dynamic community spirit,” Mr Wynne said.

He said over 80 community events were being held across Victoria for Housing Week, including festivals, community garden open days, barbecues, community information sessions, environment displays and cultural activities.

Housing Week has also seen the announcement of other major awards, including:
•    The Frances Penington Award – recognising tenants who have made an outstanding voluntary contribution to their local community; and
•    Public Tenant and Employment Participation Awards – celebrating the success of the Public Tenant Employment Program. In the three years since its inception, nearly 1000 tenants have been assisted with training or long-term employment.

For more information on Housing Week activities, go to www.housing.vic.gov.au

A table of which schools and TAFEs with students who received scholarships is attached.

Victorian school / TAFE   

Location   
Number of student scholarships

Bairnsdale Secondary College    Bairnsdale    1
Bendigo Senior Secondary College    Bendigo    9
Birchip P-12 School    Birchip    2
Brauer College    Warrnambool    1
Chaffey Secondary College    Mildura    2
Chisholm Institute    South East Melbourne    3
Copperfield College Delahey Senior Campus    Delahey    1
Cranbourne Secondary College    Cranbourne    1
Croydon Secondary College    Croydon    1
Eaglehawk Secondary College    Eaglehawk    9
Eltham High School    Eltham    2
Elwood College    Elwood    2
Kealba College    Kealba    1
Kensington Community High School    Kensington    1
Lara Secondary College    Lara    1
Lilydale High School    Lilydale    1
Lyndale Secondary College    North Dandenong    1
Lyndhurst Secondary College    Cranbourne    3
Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College    Geelong    1
Melbourne High School    Melbourne    1
Mount Beauty Secondary College    Mount Beauty    1
Noble park Secondary College    Noble Park    1
Portland Secondary College    Portland    1
Preston Girls Secondary College    Preston    16
Reservoir District Secondary College    Reservoir    1
Robinvale Secondary College    Robinvale    5
Rosamond School    Maidstone    1
Thornbury High School    Thornbury    1
TOTAL    71