Country Education Foundation co-funds bush kids’ higher ed amid rural cost of living crisis
Twenty-one-year-old Nyngan woman Sophie Barclay’s university ambitions could’ve been washed away along with her family’s crops, until she stumbled upon a “really good” place to find help.
Bush Summit
Don't miss out on the headlines from Bush Summit. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Rural university students are increasingly struggling to afford somewhere to live while they study and after battling drought, floods, degree debt and sky-high inflation they’re more in need than ever of a helping hand to keep their learning on track.
For 21-year-old Nyngan woman Sophie Barclay relocating to Armidale to study her business degree at the University of New England required a substantial investment from her farming family, but midway through her studies everything changed.
“My parents had supported me at uni for the first two years, and then last year we had big floods and the majority of the crop was wiped out,” she said.
“I picked up a part-time babysitting job last year, and that was when mum and dad were still supporting me. I would’ve had to take up a full-time job in town … but I remember looking in my first year and not really seeing too many (jobs) around.”
After seeking support from her local Country Education Foundation, a non-profit network that provides grants to students in 40 regional and remote communities across the country, Sophie wound up with $7000 to support her significant accommodation and textbook costs.
“I thought it would be a great year to see if I could return some support (to my family), and CEF was a really good way to get that financial support,” she said.
CEF CEO Juliet Petersen said the foundation’s funding streams have more of an impact now than ever before, after inflation and HECS indexation combined to produce the perfect storm for students who have no choice but to move closer to their university.
“With the cost of living continuing to rise, rural and regional students are among the worst affected, with accommodation being the largest expense they face when having to relocate to a larger centre for study,” she said.
“Any assistance for this goes a long way towards ensuring the successfully completion of studies.”
Donna was waiting for a miracle in the bush — then it flew into town
Donna Synnerdahl still remembers the moment she hit the mine shaft floor. It’s this sensation of falling and her memories of the jolting pain that has kept her up at night — for 14 years.
Mine blast: Indigenous leaders lash ban; Minns backs development
As incensed Indigenous leaders say Tanya Plibersek’s move to axe a $1 billion gold mine undermines the planning system and puts their cause back 50 years, Premier Chris Minns moves to fast track it.