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.
With 44 nominations received across the entire network, the recipients are all driving for progress in their chosen field. Their passions range from supporting First Nations communities, to rural health and education, showcasing that education not only changes individuals, but also families and communities.
CEF CEO, Wendy Mason, said the achievements of this year's recipients are inspirational.
"Every day, I am blown away by the achievements of our students and alumni, with the recipients of this year's awards no exception. The commitment towards their education and career goals, and dedication to their communities, is nothing short of extraordinary. We celebrate these students and alumni, but also the CEF local foundations who believed in their aspirations from the very beginning."
The recipients are:
Audi Foundation - CEF Alumnus of the Year
Brooke Kinsela, Country Education Foundation of Canowindra
Audi Foundation - CEF Community Alumni Champion
Lachlan Barrett, Coonamble & District Education Foundation
Audi Foundation - CEF Young Achiever
Grace Kelly, Country Education Foundation of Grenfell
Gemma Pol, Great Lakes Education Fund
Audi Foundation - CEF Launching Star
Harry Tiernan, Country Education Foundation of Cootamundra
Audi Foundation - CEF Rising Star
Emma McMahon, Shoalhaven Education Fund
The recipients of this year's awards showcase the diverse and inspiring paths that our students embark on, reflecting the multitude of opportunities that education creates.
CEF Alumnus of the Year
After achieving first class honours, Brooke Kinsela, is now completing her PhD in cellular and molecular initiation, specialising in the progression of human brain cancer, and hopes to improve cancer patient outcomes for people in rural and regional areas.
CEF Community Alumni Champion
Lachlan Barrett describes himself as a "future focused educator who works with the community to build partnerships and promote learning." Growing up in far western New South Wales, he now works as a primary school teacher and volunteers for CEF Orange & Districts, fostering a genuine love of learning in the young people he teaches.
CEF Young Achiever
This category ended in a dead heat, with both recipients being passionate young women, determined to make a difference in the early stages of their careers.
Gemma Pol
After completing a Bachelor of Public Relations and Communications/Bachelor of Business (International Business), Gemma has recently been appointed as CEO of Common Ground. She leads a team of eight First Nations people to build a network of Indigenous storytellers from across Australia to amplify and support their voices.
Grace Kelly
After completing a Nursing rotation in Walgett, Grace is now a valued part of a dedicated midwifery team at Dubbo Base Hospital, playing a vital role in supporting families and babies, including those who travel from remote areas of NSW to access reliable healthcare services.
CEF Launching Star
Harry Tiernan completed a Bachelor of Advanced Science with First Class Honours in Microbiology and was then accepted into a Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of Sydney. He remains steadfast in his ambition to become a regional dentist, wanting to give back to the community that has supported him throughout his academic journey.
CEF Rising Star
Emma McMahon, is completing a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Wollongong and is undertaking an Aboriginal Social Work cadetship at Illawarra Legal Centre. She is deeply committed to social justice and empowering Aboriginal communities to overcome systemic challenges.
CEF is thrilled to have the Audi Foundation sponsor the Alumni Awards again, with Jeff Mannering, Director of Audi Australia proud of the meaningful change the winners are creating, "At Audi, we believe that progress is an attitude, and through sponsoring the Alumni Awards, we are committed to fostering that progress by celebrating the achievements of these promising students and alumni," he said.
"In turn, their success contributes to the betterment of their communities and society as a whole."
