Winner: Mark Taai celebrating his Jim Anderson Scholarship with David Phipps, the regional director for Western Sydney of the NSW Department of Education and Communities and Chifley College Bidwill principal Mark Burnard. Picture: Gary Warrick
FIVE HSC graduates will start their post-school journeys $5000 better off.
The 10th annual Jim Anderson Scholarship winners were announced at Chifley College Bidwill last week.
The then Premier Bob Carr introduced the scholarship program in 2003 in memory of the former Londonderry MP and Blacktown mayor who died on state election day 2003.
"He was a man dedicated to public education," said Jim Anderson Scholarship executive officer, Graham Shaw.
Applicants must have done their HSC at a public school in the Blacktown LGA, Londonderry or former St Marys state electorate and be studying full-time at UWS or TAFE.
The program attracts up to 40 applications each year.
"It's a very difficult decision when 15 schools enter two or three students each," Mr Shaw said.
"I encourage recipients to enjoy their first year of uni and make the most of it."
And that's what Chifley College Bidwill graduate Mark Taai intends to do.
He was born and raised in New Zealand before his family moved to Australia in 2008.
He will start a combined degree in information/communication technology and business/commerce.
"I'm very happy to be continuing my education," Mr Taai, 18, said.
Other recipients included Rooty High School graduate Gemma Barbagallo and St Marys Senior High's Hemanta Acharya, who now studies arts/teaching and nursing.
Two other recipients were Wyndham College graduates.
Mr Anderson's widow Kathleen is a member of selection panel.