Student Stories

Help students like Samantha look forward to the future this EOFY Harden NewsNewsStudent newsStudent Stories

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…

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CEF announces official partnership with Charles Sturt University DonorsFeaturedMedia ReleasesNewsPartnersStudent newsStudent StoriesSupporters

May 14, 2025

CEF announces official partnership with Charles Sturt University

The Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) is proud to announce a new partnership with Charles Sturt University that will increase direct financial support for CEF students enrolled at the…

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AlumniFar West NSW NewsGrantsGreat Lakes NewsNational Scholarship RecipientRecipientsScholarshipsSnowy Monaro NewsStudent newsStudent StoriesVideo

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…

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New accommodation partnership to support rural and regional students at John XXIII College AccommodationDonorsFeaturedMedia ReleasesNewsPartnersStudent newsStudent StoriesSupporters

March 25, 2025

New accommodation partnership to support rural and regional students at John XXIII College

Rural and regional students looking to study in Canberra will now have greater access to accommodation support, thanks to a new partnership between Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) and…

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CEF to continue transforming lives following $225,000 grant from Futurity Education Foundation DonorsFeaturedMedia ReleasesNewsPartnersStudent newsStudent StoriesSupporters

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…

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A passion for community celebrated through the 2024 Audi Foundation – CEF Alumni Awards AlumniAlumni AwardsAlumni newsletterCommittee NewsDonorsGrenfell NewsMedia ReleasesNewsShoalhaven NewsStudent newsStudent Stories

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.…

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Snow Foundation backs more regional youth by extending partnership Braidwood NewsDonorsGoulburn NewsMedia ReleasesNewsPartnersShoalhaven NewsSnowy Monaro NewsStudent newsStudent StoriesSupportersYass 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…

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CAANZ–CEF Scholarship Accounts for Study Costs for Logan Cowra NewsDonorsMedia ReleasesNational Scholarship RecipientNewsPartnersRecipientsScholarshipsStudent newsStudent StoriesSupporters

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…

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St Andrew’s scholarships unlock a strong community for regional youth AccommodationCoonamble NewsEducation Partner NewsGrenfell NewsMedia ReleasesNational Scholarship RecipientNewsSt Andrews CollegeStudent newsStudent StoriesUniversity of Sydney

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…

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Dunmore Lang College – CEF Scholarship Makes Law Degree Possible for Pria AccommodationDunmore Lang CollegeEducation Partner NewsGriffith NewsMedia ReleasesNational Scholarship RecipientNewsRecipientsScholarshipsStudent newsStudent Stories

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.…

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Findex Scholarships help CEF students get down to business Cowra NewsDonorsFar West NSW NewsMedia ReleasesNamoi NewsNational Scholarship RecipientNewsNyngan NewsOrange NewsPartnersScholarshipsStudent newsStudent StoriesSupportersWest 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…

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Sancta is the home away from home regional young women need AccommodationEducation Partner NewsMedia ReleasesNewsScholarshipsStudent newsStudent StoriesUniversityWalgett News

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…

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Audi Foundation and CEF continue to drive for student success Braidwood NewsCanowindra NewsCowra NewsDonorsGrantsGrenfell NewsHastings NewsMedia ReleasesNamoi NewsNewsPartnersScholarshipsStudent newsStudent StoriesTemora 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,…

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How CEF is helping Jada Hogg fulfill her dreams DonorsFar West NSW NewsMedia ReleasesNational Scholarship RecipientNewsPartnersScholarshipsStudent newsStudent StoriesSupporters

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…

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ICMS Scholarship Ignites International Dreams for Isabella Webster Education Partner NewsMedia ReleasesNational Scholarship RecipientNewsOrange NewsStudent newsStudent Stories

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…

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Evidence there’s Something for Everyone as CEF Alumni Give by Volunteering AlumniCommittee NewsCoonamble NewsGreat Lakes NewsGrenfell NewsMedia ReleasesNewsOrange NewsStudent newsStudent StoriesVolunteers

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…

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Meet CEF Alumnus and Volunteer Lachie Barrett AlumniCoonamble NewsMedia ReleasesNewsOrange NewsVolunteers

May 24, 2024

Meet CEF Alumnus and Volunteer Lachie Barrett

Lachie Barrett, bottom row, second from right, with the rest of the Country Education Foundation of Orange committee. Lachie Barrett has given back to CEF, a foundation that gave so…

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Meet CEF Alumna and Volunteer Heather Walker AlumniGrenfell NewsMedia ReleasesNewsVolunteers

May 22, 2024

Meet CEF Alumna and Volunteer Heather Walker

Heather Walker, left, helping at a CEF Grenfell event. Heather Walker has given back to CEF, a foundation that gave so much to her as a student, by volunteering for…

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Meet CEF Alumna and Volunteer Anjali Williams AlumniBraidwood NewsMedia ReleasesNewsVolunteers

May 21, 2024

Meet CEF Alumna and Volunteer Anjali Williams

Anjali Williams, right, at CEF conference in Canberra in 2022. Anjali Williams Local foundation: Braidwood & District Education Foundation Institution studied at: Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) Course: Certificate IV…

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CEF Mentor Program 2024: Meet the Mentors from AuctionsPlus AlumniAlumni newsletterDonorsMediaMedia ReleasesNewsPartnersStudent newsStudent Stories

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…

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Alumni Profile April 2024: Kelly Easey AlumniAlumni newsletterGunnedah NewsMedia ReleasesNewsStudent newsStudent StoriesUniversity 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…

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CEF Helps Chelsea Stevenson Give Cost-Of-Living The Boot AlumniGwydir NewsMedia ReleasesNational Scholarship RecipientNewsStudent Stories

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…

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Heather Walker and Georgia Ditchfield Take Out Galah – CEF Photography Prize AlumniAlumni newsletterCommittee NewsCoonamble NewsGrenfell NewsMedia ReleasesNewsPartnersStudent newsStudent StoriesWalgett News

December 8, 2023

Heather Walker and Georgia Ditchfield Take Out Galah – CEF Photography Prize

Galah Press Editor-in-Chief Annabelle Hickson with Country Education Foundation of Australia alumni Georgia Ditchfield, Heather Walker and Taleah Anderson. Country Education Foundation of Australia alumni Heather Walker and Georgia Ditchfield…

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2023 Alumni Award Winner Profile: Ilona Gray AlumniAlumni AwardsAlumni newsletterCommittee NewsEventsMedia ReleasesNewsShoalhaven NewsStudent newsStudent Stories

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…

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2023 Alumni Award Winner Profile: Heather Walker AlumniAlumni AwardsAlumni newsletterCommittee NewsEventsGrenfell NewsNewsStudent newsStudent Stories

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…

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2023 Alumni Award Winner Profile: Chloe Wilson AlumniAlumni AwardsAlumni newsletterCommittee NewsEventsGrenfell NewsMedia ReleasesNewsStudent newsStudent Stories

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…

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Braidwood Shearer Takes Out CEF Community Alumni Champion Award AlumniAlumni AwardsAlumni newsletterBraidwood NewsCharles Sturt UniversityCommittee NewsEventsMedia ReleasesNewsStudent newsStudent Stories

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…

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2023 Alumni Award Winner Profile: Inga Neilsen AlumniAlumni AwardsAlumni newsletterBraidwood NewsCommittee NewsEventsNewsStudent newsStudent Stories

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…

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“Made us feel thought of”: Alison Southwell Reflects on CEF Impact 23 Years Later AlumniAlumni newsletterCharles Sturt UniversityCommittee NewsEducation Partner NewsMedia ReleasesNewsRecipientsStudent newsStudent StoriesUniversity 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…

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Alumni Success Unveiled With Audi Foundation – CEF Alumni Award Winners Announced AlumniAlumni AwardsAlumni newsletterBraidwood NewsCommittee NewsDonorsGrenfell NewsMedia ReleasesNewsShoalhaven NewsStudent newsStudent Stories

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…

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CEF Success Story Inspires Critical New Partnership with AuctionsPlus AlumniCommittee NewsDonorsMedia ReleasesNewsNyngan NewsPartnersStudent newsStudent Stories

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…

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From Nowra to the UN for Groove Brindley AlumniCommittee NewsMedia ReleasesNewsShoalhaven NewsStudent newsStudent StoriesUniversity of Newcastle

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)…

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Riley Menzel Zaps Study Costs with VERTO Scholarship Committee NewsGrantsGrenfell NewsHastings NewsKangaroo Island NewsKapunda NewsMedia ReleasesNational Scholarship RecipientNewsOrange NewsParoo NewsPartnersScholarshipsStudent newsStudent Stories

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…

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Scholarships ‘Tilt’ Regional Students in the Right Direction Boorowa NewsMediaMedia ReleasesNational Scholarship RecipientNewsScholarshipsStudent newsStudent StoriesYass 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,…

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Claire a Voice for Diversity GrantsNational Scholarship RecipientNewsOrange NewsPartnersStudent StoriesTAFE/VET

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 &…

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Cooper is on a Mission to Make A Difference Charles Sturt UniversityFar West NSW NewsNational Scholarship RecipientNewsRecipientsScholarshipsStudent Stories

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. …

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Rising Star Ayisha Rises Above Challenges AlumniAlumni AwardsFlinders UniversityKangaroo Island NewsNews

December 1, 2022

Rising Star Ayisha Rises Above Challenges

Ayisha completed her entire schooling at Kangaroo Island Community Education Kingscote Campus. At just 17 she enrolled in and was accepted to a Bachelor of Clinical Science/Doctor of Medicine at…

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James Jumpstarts his Dream AlumniAlumni AwardsGrenfell NewsNewsRecipients

November 18, 2022

James Jumpstarts his Dream

At the Audi Foundation - CEF Alumni Awards event on the 22nd October, there is no question the most excitement in the room came from CEF Grenfell and the friends…

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Katie Jayne Connects Communities with Kindness AlumniAlumni AwardsBraidwood NewsNewsRecipients

November 11, 2022

Katie Jayne Connects Communities with Kindness

Lachie Barrett, bottom row, second from right, with the rest of the Country Education Foundation of Orange committee. Katie Jayne O’Brien is one of those rare people in this world…

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Excellent Elise Shines and Inspires AlumniAlumni AwardsKapunda NewsNews

October 31, 2022

Excellent Elise Shines and Inspires

Inspiring, insightful, and eloquent, 2022 Alumnus of the Year Elise Prior grew up on a property between the Barossa and Clare Valleys in South Australia. She is a busy young…

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Community Support Calls George Home Coleambally Darlington Point NewsNewsRecipientsStudent StoriesTAFE/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…

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By George, Millie’s Got It AlumniNational Scholarship RecipientNewsNyngan NewsPartnersUniversity of New England

July 18, 2022

By George, Millie’s Got It

When you speak with Millie, it is impossible not to be lifted by her genuine joy and enthusiasm. Her mindset and personality radiate positivity so it's easy to understand why…

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Tamazyn Training to Make Change Hastings NewsNational Scholarship RecipientNewsRecipientsStudent StoriesTAFE/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…

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Genetics Key for Karlee National Scholarship RecipientNewsQuarterly NewsletterShoalhaven NewsStudent StoriesUniversity of Wollongong

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…

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There’s more to Axel than Academics AlumniAlumni AwardsNational Scholarship RecipientNewsPartnersRecipientsShoalhaven NewsUniversity of New South Wales

October 29, 2021

There’s more to Axel than Academics

Axel Nurdin from Ulladulla, a small town in the Shoalhaven region of the NSW South Coast wants to be a doctor. When we met him earlier this year, he was…

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