March 21 , 2007 – Avondale Connections

Avondale College has presented scholarships and awards worth $150,000 to 53 students in recognition of academic excellence this year.

The students received the scholarships and awards during forum on the college's Lake Macquarie campus this past Wednesday (March 14).

The most valuable scholarship - at up to $27,500 each for a four-year course - is that presented by the Avondale Foundation to recognise academic excellence. "We are delighted to give 10 scholarships to high academic achievers, and we regret not giving out all 15, and where are all the blokes?" said president Dr Norm Young - all the winners were women.

While women received more scholarships and awards than men (34-19), five of the six winners of the first-ever scholarship for children's ministries - a form of ministry that traditionally appeals more to women - were men.

Most if the scholarships - worth up to $5,110 per year - are merit based and cover the fields of business, education, music, science and theology. The President's Scholarships and Awards recognise high school students from Australia and New Zealand who achieve or who are likely to achieve tertiary entrance rankings in the top 10 per cent of their state, territory or country, and who demonstrate excellent citizenship qualities.

The college also presents needs-based scholarships, but for privacy reasons, does not announce these during forum.

The college also presents, in November, other awards during a student's course. These recognise academic excellence over the course of the year.

Fifteen fewer students received scholarships and awards this year as compared to this past year.

Ursula Borgas