Country Education Foundation (CEF) is proud to partner with the Eleanor Bryant Memorial Fund (the Fund) to deliver the Eleanor Bryant Memorial Scholarships, with the shared vision to help close the allied health accessibility gap between city and country youth.
Eleanor Bryant was a born and bred country girl who loved the land and rural way of life – in particular, its people. She was raised in Coonamble, north-west NSW, but settled in the village of Riddells Creek, Victoria, with her husband, Tim and their two children, Charlie and Tully.
As a highly experienced speech pathologist, Eleanor was dedicated to ensuring children – regardless of location – had access to high-quality speech therapy.
“Eleanor was the type of person who always gave herself to others and lived her life everyday putting others first,” Tim shares.
“She dedicated her career to education and working with children through her profession in speech pathology.”
Eleanor sadly passed away on 11th November, 2024, when she was struck by an out-of-control truck on the school grounds where she was working. Her final moments typified her extraordinary selfless nature, as she bravely and courageously moved a young child from the path of the oncoming truck, saving the child’s life.
Under the leadership of her husband Tim, Eleanor’s family and close friends have established the Eleanor Bryant Memorial Fund to provide memorial scholarships for rural and regional students studying in the allied health field.
The Eleanor Bryant Memorial Scholarships were awarded to motivated regional students who are supported by their CEF local foundation and undertaking tertiary study in an allied health-related field, with a preference to students who have a passion for paediatrics. The recipients are:
Mia O’Neill | Hastings Education Fund
Mia has recently commenced a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at the University of Newcastle. Having displayed an innate sense of community by volunteering at early childhood centres in her area, Mia aspires to become a paediatric speech pathologist so she can utilise her skills “to bridge the communication developmental gaps between rural and metropolitan children, assisting children of all background in gaining confidence through speech.”
Nathan Hodgson | CEF Coleambally-Darlington Point
Nathan has started his third year of a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Charles Sturt University, Albury-Wodonga campus and has a long-term career goal of bringing more occupational therapy opportunities to regional areas.
Georgia Rackham | CEF Coonamble & District
Georgia has recently entered her fourth and final year of study of a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Charles Sturt University, Port Macquarie campus. As a born and raised Coonamble girl, her long term career plan is to return to work rurally and explore different career opportunities.
Tim says the choice to partner with CEF for the delivery of these scholarships was obvious.
”For several years, I have observed the wonderful work the Country Education Foundation has been doing. Both Eleanor and I participated in a few fundraising events with CEF Coonamble.
CEF shares similar values to how we are looking to honour Eleanor’s legacy and so it was an easy decision to partner together.
Tim Bryant
The Fund held their inaugural fundraiser in Coonamble in September 2025, hosting over 400 people and raising over $300,000; a strong start to funding the Eleanor Bryant Memorial Scholarship.
CEF CEO, Wendy Mason, is looking forward to working with the Eleanor Bryant Memorial Fund to help support regional Australia’s next generation of allied health professionals.
“In partnership with the Eleanor Bryant Memorial Fund, the inaugural scholarships will honour Eleanor’s legacy and passions, ensuring regional young people have the tools and resources they need to succeed to become our next generation of regional allied health professionals.” Ms Mason says.
Tim, and the other representatives are clear on their hopes for the Fund and the partnership with CEF.
“My aim for the fund is to establish a long-lasting legacy to honour the beautiful person Eleanor was,” Tim finishes.
“This legacy is something for us to celebrate with our family and friends across the country and for our two children in years to come.”
