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, centre, and Audi Foundation representatives at its scholarship morning tea in Sydney in May.
Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) and longstanding partner, Audi Foundation are excited to announce 11 scholarship recipients for 2024; students who are all driving for progress in their chosen fields.
2024 Audi Foundation - CEF Scholarship Recipients
Max Brenner, CEF Grenfell, Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours), University of Newcastle.
Emily Weeks, CEF Yass Valley, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Mechanical and Mechatronic, University of Technology, Sydney.
Jeffrey Keena, Hastings Education Fund, Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours), University of Newcastle.
Fergus Tooth, Braidwood Education Foundation, Bachelor of Engineering, University of Wollongong.
Jessica Trengove, CEF Cowra, Bachelor of Medical Science/Bachelor of Business, University of Technology, Sydney.
Charlotte Robinson, Temora Education Fund, Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours), Australian National University.
Jorja Schofield, Hastings Education Fund, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, University of Newcastle.
Millie Taylor, CEF Namoi, Bachelor of Exercise Science/Master of Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology, University of New South Wales.
Tully McCahon, CEF Grenfell, Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery, Monash University.
Ryan Ellis, CEF Canowindra, Bachelor of Engineering, University of Wollongong.
Eliza Dampney, CEF Namoi, Bachelor of Data Science and Decisions, University of New South Wales.
Audi Foundation has partnered with CEF since 2017, with their scholarships a sought-after opportunity for STEM students each year.
Audi Foundation Chair, Jeff Mannering, said it shared CEF's mission in empowering young Australians through education.
"At Audi, we believe that progress is an attitude, and through our continued partnership with CEF, we are committed to fostering that progress by supporting the education and development of these promising students," he said.
He looks forward to seeing the achievements of the 11 scholars and the impact of Audi Foundation's support.
"By supporting these students, we aim to make a significant difference in their futures, enabling them to achieve their full potential. In turn, their success contributes to the progress and betterment of their communities and society as a whole," he said.
Emily Weeks is in the driver's seat of her studies
Emily Weeks checks out an Audi car at the 2024 Audi Foundation scholarship morning tea at the dealership in Zetland, Sydney, in May.
CEF Yass Valley student, Emily Weeks, has always had big dreams of one day working on the Formula 1 circuit.
Growing up, she always had an interest in motorsport, and says she is fascinated by the feats of engineering in F1 cars, especially their speed around corners and aerodynamic downforce.
In high school, she competed in the F1 In Schools competition, where she designed and built an F1-compliant car, making it all the way to national level.
She always planned to study mechanical engineering to continue chasing her F1 dreams, but the cost of relocating away from home proved a challenge. When she was introduced to CEF Yass Valley, she soon started to believe that her dream could become reality.
As one of this year's Audi Foundation scholars, she is excelling in her first year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Mechanical and Mechatronic, with the Audi Foundation scholarship helping her cover rent in Sydney.
Emily was also accepted into the UTS motorsport team and granted a special exemption to be a part of the team as a first-year student. The team is due to compete in the Formula University student competition. She also hopes to do an exchange to Germany and study in a reputable engineering program in Munich.
Emily thanked Audi Foundation for believing in her goal of being a powerful female working in international motorsport.
The scholarship has made a huge difference and allowed me to spend less time working in my part-time job and endure less stress. I'm also grateful for the networking and experience opportunities Audi Foundation has given me.
– 2024 Audi Foundation – CEF Scholarship recipient, Emily Weeks
She attended the Audi Foundation morning tea at the Audi Sydney dealership in May, before being invited to the Audi Drive Experience Day on 17th June, where she got to experience speeds of up to 200 km/h, driven by a professional race car driver, from the comfort of a top-of-the-line Audi at Sydney Motorsport Park.
For this previously devout Ferrari supporter, Emily is confident she will now support Audi when it enters the competition in 2026.
