Student Stories

Help students like Samantha look forward to the future this EOFY NewsStudent StoriesStudentsHarden News

June 12, 2025

Help students like Samantha look forward to the future this EOFY

This is what CEF Harden student, Samantha, said on her first day of Kindergarten. That aspiration, expressed on a piece of paper, is still stuck on her wall today. Inspired…

Hilary Matchett

Love0

Student StoriesRecipientsNational Scholarship RecipientStudentsAlumniGrantsScholarshipsFar West NSW NewsGreat Lakes NewsSnowy Monaro News

May 2, 2025

CEF Student Stories

Our impact in their words. Watch and learn how CEF makes a difference in the lives of young people from rural and regional Australia. Donate now so you can make a…

CEF Author

Love1

CEF to continue transforming lives following $225,000 grant from Futurity Education Foundation NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesDonorsStudentsPartnersSupporters

December 3, 2024

CEF to continue transforming lives following $225,000 grant from Futurity Education Foundation

Country Education Foundation of Australia’s (CEF) commitment to breaking down barriers, establishing education pathways and ensuring young people from regional and rural Australia have access to further education has been…

Hilary Matchett

Love0

A passion for community celebrated through the 2024 Audi Foundation – CEF Alumni Awards NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesDonorsAlumni AwardsAlumni newsletterStudentsAlumniCommittee NewsGrenfell NewsShoalhaven News

October 20, 2024

A passion for community celebrated through the 2024 Audi Foundation – CEF Alumni Awards

Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) has announced the recipients of the 2024 Audi Foundation-CEF Alumni Awards, with six, dedicated and community-minded recipients claiming the honours in their respective categories.…

Hilary Matchett

Love0

Snow Foundation backs more regional youth by extending partnership NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesDonorsStudentsBraidwood NewsPartnersSupportersGoulburn NewsShoalhaven NewsSnowy Monaro NewsYass News

September 30, 2024

Snow Foundation backs more regional youth by extending partnership

We acknowledge the passing of Terry Snow AM, Snow Foundation founder. Terry was deeply committed to supporting scholarships, recognising their role in helping rural and regional students achieve their educational…

CEF Author

Love0

CAANZ–CEF Scholarship Accounts for Study Costs for Logan NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesRecipientsDonorsNational Scholarship RecipientStudentsPartnersScholarshipsSupportersCowra News

August 30, 2024

CAANZ–CEF Scholarship Accounts for Study Costs for Logan

For 2024 CAANZ–CEF Scholarship recipient, Logan Haslam, the transition from high school to university has been challenging, and he says the scholarship has helped him not only afford his studies…

CEF Author

Love0

St Andrew’s scholarships unlock a strong community for regional youth NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesNational Scholarship RecipientEducation Partner NewsStudentsCoonamble NewsSt Andrews CollegeUniversity of SydneyGrenfell News

August 15, 2024

St Andrew’s scholarships unlock a strong community for regional youth

CEF student Anna Hunt, top row, third from the left, who is living at St Andrew's and is also the Cultural Secretary on its House Committee. Photo credit: St Andrew's…

CEF Author

Love0

Dunmore Lang College – CEF Scholarship Makes Law Degree Possible for Pria NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesRecipientsNational Scholarship RecipientEducation Partner NewsStudentsScholarshipsDunmore Lang CollegeGriffith News

August 7, 2024

Dunmore Lang College – CEF Scholarship Makes Law Degree Possible for Pria

For CEF Griffith law student, Pria Cerato, her Dunmore Lang College – CEF scholarship provided her the opportunity to relocate to Sydney to follow her dreams of becoming a lawyer.…

CEF Author

Love0

Findex Scholarships help CEF students get down to business NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesDonorsNational Scholarship RecipientStudentsPartnersScholarshipsSupportersCowra NewsFar West NSW NewsNamoi NewsNyngan NewsOrange NewsWest Wyalong News

July 31, 2024

Findex Scholarships help CEF students get down to business

Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) and Findex Community Fund are excited to announce its 2024 CEF–Findex Community Fund scholarship recipients, a highly sought after scholarship that will support six…

CEF Author

Love0

Sancta is the home away from home regional young women need NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesWalgett NewsEducation Partner NewsSancta Sophia CollegeStudentsScholarshipsUniversity

July 26, 2024

Sancta is the home away from home regional young women need

For Country Education Foundation of Australia student, Bridget Ritter, needing to relocate 700km from Collarenebri in western NSW to Sydney for her studies meant she needed to find a “home…

CEF Author

Love0

Audi Foundation and CEF continue to drive for student success NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesDonorsStudentsGrantsBraidwood NewsCanowindra NewsPartnersScholarshipsCowra NewsGrenfell NewsHastings NewsNamoi NewsTemora NewsYass News

July 5, 2024

Audi Foundation and CEF continue to drive for student success

CEF Head of Engagement, Media and Impact, Hilary Matchett, and CEF CEO Wendy Mason, back left, with 2024 Audi Foundation scholars Eliza Dampney, Mille Taylor, Emily Weeks and Jeffrey Keena,…

CEF Author

Love1

How CEF is helping Jada Hogg fulfill her dreams NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesDonorsNational Scholarship RecipientStudentsPartnersScholarshipsSupportersFar West NSW NewsUniversity of Wollongong

June 12, 2024

How CEF is helping Jada Hogg fulfill her dreams

Country Education Foundation of Australia's 2024 McLean Foundation scholarship recipient, Jada Hogg of Menindee, Far West NSW, who is studying Nursing at the University of Wollongong. Menindee is a small…

CEF Author

Love3

ICMS Scholarship Ignites International Dreams for Isabella Webster NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesNational Scholarship RecipientEducation Partner NewsStudentsOrange News

June 7, 2024

ICMS Scholarship Ignites International Dreams for Isabella Webster

CEF board member Douglas Geddes, 2024 ICMS - CEF scholar Isabella Webster and Chair - ICMS Scholarships, Ann Whitelock. For Isabella Webster, the idea of starting full time studies in…

CEF Author

Love0

Evidence there’s Something for Everyone as CEF Alumni Give by Volunteering NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesVolunteersStudentsAlumniCommittee NewsCoonamble NewsGreat Lakes NewsGrenfell NewsOrange News

May 25, 2024

Evidence there’s Something for Everyone as CEF Alumni Give by Volunteering

Country Education Foundation of Australia alumni and volunteers Lachie Barrett, Heather Walker and Brittany Glanville. Whether it’s helping with social media, taking photos, working on a barbeque or being a…

CEF Author

Love0

CEF Mentor Program 2024: Meet the Mentors from AuctionsPlus NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesDonorsMediaAlumni newsletterStudentsAlumniPartners

April 18, 2024

CEF Mentor Program 2024: Meet the Mentors from AuctionsPlus

Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) is thrilled to announce that AuctionsPlus is joining forces with the Mentor Program this year and will provide three experienced and skilled mentors to…

CEF Author

Love1

Alumni Profile April 2024: Kelly Easey NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesAlumni newsletterStudentsAlumniGunnedah NewsUniversity of New South Wales

April 15, 2024

Alumni Profile April 2024: Kelly Easey

Kelly Easey Local foundation: Country Education Foundation of Gunnedah Institution: University of New South Wales Course: Bachelor of Medicine / Doctor of Medicine Kelly has come a long way since…

CEF Author

Love0

CEF Helps Chelsea Stevenson Give Cost-Of-Living The Boot NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesNational Scholarship RecipientAlumniGwydir News

February 29, 2024

CEF Helps Chelsea Stevenson Give Cost-Of-Living The Boot

Country Education Foundation of Australia alumnus, Chelsea Stevenson, says she couldn't have got as far as she has without CEF's support. Country Education of Australia (CEF) is aiming to help…

CEF Author

Love0

2023 Alumni Award Winner Profile: Ilona Gray NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesAlumni AwardsAlumni newsletterEventsStudentsAlumniCommittee NewsShoalhaven News

December 5, 2023

2023 Alumni Award Winner Profile: Ilona Gray

Here is our 2023 Rising Star, Ilona Gray. | Growing up wasn't as simple as most for Ilona. Born in Northern Ireland, she spent the first few years of her…

CEF Author

Love0

2023 Alumni Award Winner Profile: Heather Walker NewsStudent StoriesAlumni AwardsAlumni newsletterEventsStudentsAlumniCommittee NewsGrenfell News

December 5, 2023

2023 Alumni Award Winner Profile: Heather Walker

Heather Walker is one of the brightest and most committed young ladies you could meet. Passionate about teaching and agriculture, the farm girl from Grenfell is currently in her 3rd…

CEF Author

Love0

2023 Alumni Award Winner Profile: Chloe Wilson NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesAlumni AwardsAlumni newsletterEventsStudentsAlumniCommittee NewsGrenfell News

December 5, 2023

2023 Alumni Award Winner Profile: Chloe Wilson

Here is our 2023 Young Achiever, Chloe Wilson. Chloe has come a very long way from farm life in her home town of Grenfell, NSW. She took a big gamble…

CEF Author

Love0

Braidwood Shearer Takes Out CEF Community Alumni Champion Award NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesAlumni AwardsAlumni newsletterEventsStudentsAlumniBraidwood NewsCharles Sturt UniversityCommittee News

December 5, 2023

Braidwood Shearer Takes Out CEF Community Alumni Champion Award

Braidwood sheep shearer Lochie Ramm has taken out the Country Education Foundation of Australia’s Community Alumni Champion award as part of its 2023 Alumni Awards. Student: Lochie Ramm Local CEF…

CEF Author

Love1

2023 Alumni Award Winner Profile: Inga Neilsen NewsStudent StoriesAlumni AwardsAlumni newsletterEventsStudentsAlumniBraidwood NewsCommittee News

December 1, 2023

2023 Alumni Award Winner Profile: Inga Neilsen

Ilona Gray - 2023 Rising Star - Audi Foundation | CEF Alumni Awards Growing up in little old Braidwood, a town of just 1000 people located west of Batemans Bay…

CEF Author

Love1

“Made us feel thought of”: Alison Southwell Reflects on CEF Impact 23 Years Later NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesRecipientsEducation Partner NewsAlumni newsletterStudentsAlumniCharles Sturt UniversityCommittee NewsUniversity of New EnglandYass News

October 24, 2023

“Made us feel thought of”: Alison Southwell Reflects on CEF Impact 23 Years Later

For Country Education Foundation of Yass Valley (CEF Yass) alumni Dr Alison Southwell, the need to travel over 700 kilometres to Armidale to attend university back in 2000 seemed a…

CEF Author

Love0

Alumni Success Unveiled With Audi Foundation – CEF Alumni Award Winners Announced NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesDonorsAlumni AwardsAlumni newsletterStudentsAlumniBraidwood NewsCommittee NewsGrenfell NewsShoalhaven News

October 23, 2023

Alumni Success Unveiled With Audi Foundation – CEF Alumni Award Winners Announced

Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) has announced the winners of the 2023 Audi Foundation – CEF Alumni Awards, with five very deserving recipients claiming the honours in their respective…

CEF Author

Love0

CEF Success Story Inspires Critical New Partnership with AuctionsPlus NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesDonorsStudentsAlumniCommittee NewsPartnersNyngan News

October 20, 2023

CEF Success Story Inspires Critical New Partnership with AuctionsPlus

AuctionsPlus Market Operator Team Leader and Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) alumni, Millie George, has given back to the foundation that supported her through her studies, by inspiring a…

CEF Author

Love0

From Nowra to the UN for Groove Brindley NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesStudentsAlumniCommittee NewsUniversity of NewcastleShoalhaven News

October 16, 2023

From Nowra to the UN for Groove Brindley

Groove Brindley, second from the left, with fellow Country Education Foundation of Australia alumni at a special breakfast held at the University of Newcastle in August. Shoalhaven Education Fund (SEF)…

CEF Author

Love0

Riley Menzel Zaps Study Costs with VERTO Scholarship NewsMedia ReleasesStudent StoriesNational Scholarship RecipientStudentsGrantsCommittee NewsPartnersScholarshipsGrenfell NewsHastings NewsKangaroo Island NewsKapunda NewsOrange NewsParoo News

August 10, 2023

Riley Menzel Zaps Study Costs with VERTO Scholarship

Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) and VERTO are excited to announce six scholarship recipients undertaking an apprenticeship, traineeship or vocational education. The six 2023 VERTO – CEF Scholarships are…

CEF Author

Love0

Scholarships ‘Tilt’ Regional Students in the Right Direction National Scholarship RecipientStudent StoriesNewsMedia ReleasesMediaStudentsBoorowa NewsScholarshipsYass News

July 24, 2023

Scholarships ‘Tilt’ Regional Students in the Right Direction

Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) and Tilt Renewables are excited to announce 7 x scholarships awarded to CEF recipients undertaking further education in areas related to STEM (Science, Technology,…

CEF Author

Love0

Claire a Voice for Diversity NewsStudent StoriesNational Scholarship RecipientGrantsPartnersTAFE/VETOrange News

June 1, 2023

Claire a Voice for Diversity

Living, working and studying in a regional community, Claire Miller is a bright young Indigenous woman with a passion for agricultural mechanics. Thanks to a grant from CEF Orange &…

CEF Author

Love0

Cooper is on a Mission to Make A Difference NewsStudent StoriesRecipientsNational Scholarship RecipientCharles Sturt UniversityScholarshipsFar West NSW News

March 2, 2023

Cooper is on a Mission to Make A Difference

As soon as he was notified of receiving a scholarship, Cooper made contact with us to find out how he could promote CEF and advocate for teaching in regional areas. …

CEF Author

Love0

Community Support Calls George Home NewsStudent StoriesRecipientsColeambally Darlington Point NewsTAFE/VET

July 18, 2022

Community Support Calls George Home

Lachie Barrett, bottom row, second from right, with the rest of the Country Education Foundation of Orange committee. Coleambally is a small town in the Riverina of New South Wales…

CEF Author 0

Love0

Tamazyn Training to Make Change NewsStudent StoriesRecipientsNational Scholarship RecipientHastings NewsTAFE/VET

July 6, 2022

Tamazyn Training to Make Change

When a young student identifies one of their favourite pastimes as helping the community – we know we have found someone pretty special. In celebration of NAIDOC Week, we are…

CEF Author 0

Love0

Genetics Key for Karlee NewsStudent StoriesQuarterly NewsletterNational Scholarship RecipientUniversity of WollongongShoalhaven News

March 7, 2022

Genetics Key for Karlee

As an organisation, CEF is committed to achieving educational equality for our rural and regional students. We know the statistics and the challenges they face in accessing education. But what…

CEF Author 0

Love0

Cody Launches Into Study After School NewsStudent StoriesNational Scholarship RecipientAlumni AwardsAlumniCharles Sturt UniversityPartnersThree Rivers University Department of Rural HealthOrange News

October 28, 2021

Cody Launches Into Study After School

We first introduced you to Cody Logan from Orange NSW in May this year as a grant recipient and Audi Foundation CEF Scholar. We knew at that time there was…

CEF Author 0

Love0

Miss Duncan determined to make a difference NewsStudent StoriesRecipientsGrantsPartnersMacquarie UniversityMoree News

October 5, 2021

Miss Duncan determined to make a difference

"I hope to one day return to Moree after my studies so I can contribute to my community and to the school." Local foundation: CEF Moree Course: Bachelor of Education…

CEF Author 0

Love1

Hannah gives meaning to the words dedicated, hardworking and genuine Student StoriesCharles Sturt UniversityTAFE/VETWest Wyalong News

July 19, 2021

Hannah gives meaning to the words dedicated, hardworking and genuine

Dedicated. Hardworking. Genuine. These are words we often throw around, and in doing so, they lose a little of their meaning. Hannah Messner from the small NSW town of West…

CEF Author 0

Love0

Meagan, Machines and Mechatronics Student StoriesRecipientsNational Scholarship RecipientPartnersScholarshipsUniversity of New South WalesNamoi News

July 12, 2021

Meagan, Machines and Mechatronics

‘I’m really a nerd at heart.’ From North-West NSW, Meagan Dampney’s interest in engineering began when she was just 14 years old. Binging on documentaries about building boats and designing…

CEF Author 0

Love0

Courtney’s Resilience the Key to Becoming a GP NewsStudent StoriesRecipientsUniversity of NewcastleGilgandra News

June 28, 2021

Courtney’s Resilience the Key to Becoming a GP

The town of windmills and home of the ‘coo-ees.’ With only 4000 residents, 45 minutes north of Dubbo in NSW, Gilgandra is where Courtney Gale grew up and where she…

CEF Author 0

Love0

Jonty is a Numbers Man NewsStudent StoriesRecipientsNational Scholarship RecipientPartnersMacquarie UniversityOrange News

June 21, 2021

Jonty is a Numbers Man

Numbers and finance are not everyone’s cup of tea, but for CEF grant and scholarship recipient Jonty Kingham, they are his passion. Local Foundation: CEF Orange & Districts Course: Bachelor…

CEF Author 0

Love1

Chelsea is the Pick of the Crop NewsStudent StoriesRecipientsNational Scholarship RecipientEducation Partner NewsStudentsPartnersScholarshipsGwydir NewsUniversity of New England

May 31, 2021

Chelsea is the Pick of the Crop

CEF has partnered with MH Premium Farms to offer one scholarship to a CEF student undertaking studies in the agricultural field. We are thrilled to announce Chelsea Stevenson as the…

CEF Author 0

Love0

Opals and CEF Pay Dividends For Oscar NewsStudent StoriesRecipientsDonorsQuarterly NewsletterNational Scholarship RecipientWalgett NewsEducation Partner NewsStudentsGrantsPartnersFoundationsUniversity of Technology Sydney

May 31, 2021

Opals and CEF Pay Dividends For Oscar

When you meet Oscar Cheal, before he even speaks a word, you can tell he is humble and hard-working, ready to do what it takes to achieve his goals. CEF…

CEF Author 0

Love3

Beef Week 2021 Student Experience NewsStudent StoriesRecipientsEducation Partner NewsStudentsFoundationsUniversity of New EnglandParoo News

May 27, 2021

Beef Week 2021 Student Experience

CEF was excited to support two students from Cunnamulla, Queensland to attend Beef Week 2021 in Rockhampton. With the help of CEF Australia, CEF Paroo, Beef Australia and Angus Barrett…

CEF Author 0

Love0

Cody faces challenges with comedy, commitment and courage NewsStudent StoriesNational Scholarship RecipientGrantsCharles Sturt UniversityPartnersThree Rivers University Department of Rural HealthOrange News

May 19, 2021

Cody faces challenges with comedy, commitment and courage

Cody Logan from Orange NSW is currently in his final year of a Bachelor of Paramedicine at the Charles Sturt University Bathurst Campus. This is impressive on its own, and…

CEF Author 0

Love1

Bethany cutting it up in the design world NewsStudent StoriesRecipientsGrantsNyngan News

May 10, 2021

Bethany cutting it up in the design world

'Who’d have thought that a small town girl from Nyngan would be invited to show at Melbourne Fashion Week 2020?’ says Bethany Young, reflecting on her post-school education journey as…

CEF Author 0

Love0

Mark Knows Communication Can Create Change NewsStudent StoriesRecipientsGrantsColeambally Darlington Point NewsUniversity of Wollongong

April 30, 2021

Mark Knows Communication Can Create Change

‘Scholarships are a significant source of my income to sustain myself and my studies,’ says Mark Jay from the small, close-knit community of Coleambally in NSW. As the eldest of…

CEF Author 0

Love0