Without question, this is the best time of year for CEF and our local foundations.
With over 800 applications, COVID hasn’t stopped our students striving to achieve their education goals in 2021.
Now the hard work and dedication of our volunteers pays off, and they get to make the most wonderful phone calls – the ones that let students know they will be supported by CEF.
Then, it’s celebration time with local foundations holding presentation evenings, bringing together communities to celebrate our rural and regional youth.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
For many young students, writing applications and participating in interviews can be overwhelming – they don’t often get a lot of practice.
The CEF grant applications process exposes students to this experience, and they are grateful for this, often saying how valuable this is for them when it comes to applying for other scholarships, accommodation bursaries and employment.
Here are some of the top lessons students learn when they apply for a CEF grant:
– Charles
– Lily
– Hannah
– Gemma
– Campbell
PRESENTATION EVENTS
One of the fantastic things about CEF is that we understand that no two local foundations – or communities – are the same. And we love how each group of passionate volunteers work to support students and celebrate achievements in their own way.
Some fantastic examples are:
From the long-standing Yass and District Education Fund, established in 1999, who put on a smooth, well-organised and heavily supported presentation event, one that shows they know exactly what they are doing – and how well they do it.
To CEF Orange & District, a local foundation growing in momentum who held their first presentation event this year which gave students and committee members the chance to have a relaxed chat in the lead up to the inaugural mentoring program they will be implementing.
Or CEF Coleambally Darlington/Point, perhaps one of our smallest, yet most dedicated committees, who have such wonderful history of community involvement and amazing relationships with the students they support.
And there is CEF Merriwa, who epitomise the country sense of community and hospitality, working with the local Rotary group to award grants and holding their presentation with family and friends around sandwiches and slices from the local café.
SMILES ALL ROUND
Nothing can explain the ways students feel when they receive a grant better than the smile on their face. And the same goes for our volunteers, with their passion and pride expressed through the looks on their faces when they present their grants.
Here are some of the wonderful photos our local foundations have taken during presentation season so far…
Can you spot any familiar faces?