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Meet Chris, our new alumni ambassador

By July 9, 2018January 19th, 2021No Comments

Just recently CEF sent out the inaugural CEF Alumni Newsletter – you may have seen it pop in already! It’s exciting to be writing to you as the first alumni ambassador.

You’ll see a newsletter in your inbox a few times a year as we update you on CEF’s news and achievements. I’ll also be letting you know about some new programs CEF has designed especially for us.

As past recipients of CEF assistance, you and I are automatically a part of CEF’s family and members of an exclusive club. Since CEF opened its doors 25 years ago, the organisation, through its hard-working local committees of volunteers, has helped about 4,000 students (aka us) pursue their higher education and training goals. Like you and I, many of these alumni are now leaders in business, government and the not-for-profit sector. Many have returned home and are actively giving back to the communities who first recognised their potential. These are no small achievements.

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When I first applied for a CEF grant, as a high school student in Cooma, I wondered if I was good enough to go to university. Then I received the CEF grant. The money was great, but it was the knowledge that others believed in me and my ambitions that really mattered. I’ll forever be grateful for that grant and the inspiration it gave me. It showed me it was possible, as a country kid, to go out and get what you want.

I finished my creative arts degree a few years ago and am now in my dream job as production manager at the Sydney Theatre Company. With those achievements behind me, I’ve realised it’s time to give something back. As Alumni Ambassador, I’ll be encouraging everyone who has benefited from CEF to reconnect to help them to help the next generation of country kids.

If you haven’t already, fill in the alumni survey. It only takes a few minutes and it’s a great first step to let us know where you are now and what you have achieved. Hundreds of you have filled it in already and we’ve learned some amazing things. You can read more below.

Building a sense of community is an important next step in CEF’s alumni mission. Let’s come together to support the next generation of country kids.

Chris Mercer
CEF Alumni Ambassador

Laura

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