2024 Findex Community Fund - CEF Scholarship recipient, Caitlyn Coutts-Smith, from CEF Namoi.
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 students studying in finance and business related fields.
2024 Findex Community Fund - CEF Scholarship Recipients:
Sophie Yabsley, CEF Nyngan, Bachelor of Business Management, University of Technology, Sydney.
Isabella Webster, CEF Orange & Districts, Bachelor of Event Management, International College of Management, Sydney.
Logan Haslam, CEF Cowra, Bachelor of Professional Accounting, University of Wollongong.
Caitlyn Coutts-Smith, CEF Namoi, Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management, Charles Sturt University.
Venice Dionela, CEF West Wyalong, Bachelor of Business, University of Wollongong.
Jazmyne Sumalinog, CEF Far West, Bachelor of Business, University of Wollongong.
With an aligned vision of supporting rural and regional youth, Findex offers the scholarship to CEF-supported students to help address some of the barriers to further education and set them up for professional success.
Findex Community Fund Head of Philanthropy and Sustainability, Danielle Maxwell, said by supporting these students financially it also hoped to support their career progression.
"We've connected the scholars to people from our offices to assist with coaching and mentoring. We provide these scholarships in the hope that we can help further support the scholars in other ways," she said.
She said she hoped the funding for this year's scholars would enable them to thrive in their studies, especially with the current cost-of-living crisis.
With our offices disbursed through a vast range of regional locations we understand there are barriers to education. We want to empower young people, regardless of their geographic location, to pursue and achieve their educational goals.
– Findex Community Fund Head of Philanthropy and Sustainability, Danielle Maxwell.
Caitlyn is on a mission to empower women in Ag
Findex Community Fund - CEF scholarship recipient, Caitlyn Coutts-Smith, believes it's time to encourage more women to study and work in agriculture, and believes the scholarship will help her do that.
Caitlyn Coutts-Smith hoses down a cow.
Caitlyn, who received a grant from her local CEF foundation, CEF Namoi, is a first-year student studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga.
Growing up on a family farm in Wee Waa in northern NSW, she hopes to one day work in agricultural management and lead the charge to empower other females to work in the industry.
"Gender doesn't mean that you can harvest a grain crop any better than the other, as long as you have a passion for your work," she said.
"The opportunities for employment or further education in this field are indescribable, from livestock handling to marketing and sales, there is truly something for everyone. You just need to take that first step and ask those important questions."
She said her Findex Community Fund – CEF scholarship would help her access practical learning and work experience opportunities that were critical for her succeeding in her studies, particularly livestock handling.
"I am grateful for this support, as it will undoubtedly contribute to my growth and preparation for future endeavours within the agricultural industry," she said.
The Findex scholarship funds will play a pivotal role in my academic and professional development. Work placements not only enhance my theoretical learning but will also provide me invaluable hands-on skills that are essential for my future career.
– Caitlyn Coutts-Smith.
