A group of Year 12 students’ futures have been unlocked thanks to a key partnership of local benefactors.
Greater Shepparton Foundation, Shepparton South Rotary Club, and the Margaret Attwood Trust have awarded nine students at Shepparton ACE Secondary College with bursaries to ease their transition into further education or employment.
These bursaries aim to provide financial assistance and help the students anticipate a promising future post-schooling.
ACE Secondary College careers adviser Sile Coleman said the support was greatly appreciated by families and would be used to fund the cost of studies.
“ACE College is a wonderful community-based secondary college that provides a safe, accessible learning environment that focuses on positive educational experiences and outcomes and creates pathways to tertiary study and employment,” she said.
“Sometimes the barriers to study are too great, and having access to the bursaries through the Greater Shepparton Foundation and its partners is a wonderful initiative to support students and their families to remain engaged in learning and pathways to employment.”
Reflecting on the initiative, Greater Shepparton Foundation executive officer Amanda McCulloch said it wouldn’t have been possible without community partnerships.
“We are thrilled to be able to bring together local partners in Shepparton South Rotary Club and Margaret Attwood Trust to support students in undertaking Certificate and Diploma level courses in 2025,” she said.
Seven of the students are undertaking a Diploma in Community Services, one will be undertaking a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery, and one will be undertaking a Certificate III in Motor Sport Technology.
All will apply the bursaries to support the purchase of equipment or course fees in 2025.