RAS Foundation Rural Scholarships

Students in regional areas often have to relocate in order to study, leaving behind the support of family and friends and feeling torn between their education and their obligations. Fortunately, assistance in the form of a scholarship can help ease some worries and allow greater freedom to more regularly visit home and lend a hand. This is more important than ever, with many RASF Rural Scholarship recipients coming from drought-stricken towns and farms that need all hands helping whenever possible. Many applicants mention the financial burden of needing to return home to help in holidays and the resulting lost opportunity to work. Our Rural Scholarship program goes a small way to ensure students from regional areas can chase the same education dreams as students in the city and suburbs. Rural Scholarships are available to support individuals in NSW who demonstrate a passion for rural communities and commitment for any career that will ensure the future success of rural and regional NSW. Scholarships of $6,000 for full-time study or $3,000 for part-time study are available. There is no limit on the types of courses that qualify or the age of the applicant. You could be studying anything from physiotherapy, engineering, teaching, agricultural science, horticulture, medicine and commerce - and almost everything in between. You could be studying at University, TAFE or VET courses, on campus or by distance learning. However applicants all have one thing in common - a desire to play an active part in the future of rural NSW. Applicants for a Rural Scholarship must: Be enrolled in or applying for study in any accredited tertiary course at an approved Australian education provider Demonstrate a desire to contribute to the future of rural NSW Demonstrate how a scholarship would assist them in achieving their education or training goal Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident Applications for a 2020 RAS Foundation Rural Scholarship are now closed. Applications for a 2021 RAS Foundation Rural Scholarship will open in August 2020.

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JB Fairfax Award for Rural and Regional Journalism

The JB Fairfax Award for Rural and Regional Journalism is a prestigious national award that encourages and supports a young university student who is passionate about pursuing a career as a rural or regional journalist upon graduation.

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Sydney Royal Wine Study Scholarship

Image Amy Woodward The Sydney Royal Wine Show, established in 1826, is one of the most prestigious wine shows in Australia, annually attracting over 2200 entries from 350 producers across Australia. The Sydney Royal Wine Committee together with the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation (RAS Foundation), offers two scholarships programs. The Sydney Royal Wine Study Scholarship and the Sydney Royal Wine Assessment Scholarship . These scholarships are funded from the sale of excess stock from the Sydney Royal Wine Show. Sydney Royal is proud to be the first Wine Show in Australia to commit to this form of support for our industry and we hope this initiative continues to grow and evolve across the Australian wine community. The Sydney Royal Wine Study Scholarships honour the memory and contribution of Graham Thorp, Chair of the Sydney Royal Wine Committee from 1984 - 1990. Scholarships of up to $6,000 are available. Scholarship recipients will also be invited to join the RAS family by stewarding at the annual Sydney Royal Wine Show, held in July. There is no limit to the types of courses that qualify for the scholarship, however applicants will demonstrate a strong wine industry career pathway through their chosen course of study. This includes a range of certificates, degrees and courses covering skills in agricultural science, horticulture, viticulture, wine education, wine service, lab technology, marketing and journalism.   You could be studying at University, TAFE or a VET course, on campus or by distance learning. Individuals interested in studying courses offered by The Wine & Spirit Education Trust or The Court Master Sommeliers are also invited to apply. Applicants all have one thing in common - a desire to play an active role in the future of the Australian wine industry. Eligibility Guidelines Open to students applying for, or holding admission to, an accredited tertiary course (College, VET including TAFE, University or Private Provider) with relevance to the Australian Wine Industry. Applicants must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Applicants must be under 30 years of age. Applicants should be available to attend the KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show in July 2020. Applicants applying to study the Australian Wine Research Institute's Advanced Wine Assessment Course should apply for the Sydney Royal Wine Assessment Scholarship . Applications for a 2020 Sydney Royal Wine Study Scholarship are now closed.

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Sydney Royal Wine Assessment Scholarship

The Sydney Royal Wine Show, established in 1826, is one of the most prestigious wine shows in Australia, annually attracting over 2200 entries from more than 350 producers across Australia. The Sydney Royal Wine Committee together with the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation (RAS Foundation), offers two scholarship programs. The Sydney Royal Wine Study Scholarship and the Sydney Royal Wine Assessment Scholarship.  These scholarships are funded from the sale of excess stock from the Sydney Royal Wine Show. Sydney Royal is proud to be the first Wine Show in Australia to commit to this form of support for our industry and we hope this initiative continues to grow and evolve across the Australian wine community. The Sydney Royal Wine Assessment Scholarship winner will receive a fully-funded position at the Australian Wine Research Institute's Advanced Wine Assessment Course, plus a contribution towards travel and accommodation expenses. The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage and support young professionals who are passionate about wine and committed to forging careers that will contribute to the Australian wine industry. The scholarship is valued at $6,000. Eligibility Guidelines Applicants must be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident. Applicants must be employed in the Australian Wine Industry or engaged in study in a related course. Applicants should only apply if they are free to attend this course in the second quarter of 2020. Applicants should be available to attend the KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show in July 2020. Applications for a 2020 Sydney Royal Wine Assessment Scholarship are now closed.

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RAS Foundation VET Scholarships

VET (Vocational Education and Training) Scholarships are available to support individuals in NSW who demonstrate a passion for rural life and commitment for any career that will ensure the future success of rural and regional NSW. Scholarships of up to $6,000 for full-time study or up to $3,000 for part-time study are available. There is no limit on the types of courses that qualify or the age of the applicant. You could be studying anything from metal fabrication to child care. You could be studying at a registered VET (Vocational Education and Training) institution e.g. College or TAFE courses, on campus or by distance learning. All applicants will have one thing in common - a desire to play an active part in the future of rural NSW. Applicants for a VET Scholarship must: Be enrolled in or applying for study in any accredited VET (Vocational Education and Training) course at an approved Australian education provider Demonstrate a desire to contribute to the future of rural NSW Demonstrate how a scholarship would assist them in achieving their education or training goal Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident Note: Students completing school-based apprenticeships and traineeships are not eligible to apply.  Applicants must be school leavers having completed a minimum of year 10 . Applications for the 2019 RAS Foundation VET Scholarships are now closed.

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RAS Foundation Community Futures Grant

What is the RASF Community Futures Grant? The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation (RASF) is offering an opportunity for community-minded people to be awarded up to $25,000 in funding for a community project in their local area. Funding this year is going to Bellata War Memorial Hall, Merriwa Poultry Pens & Partners Project, Dalgety Show Society Horse Yards, Narromine High School P&C Association Cattle Yards, Forbes ASC of NSW Group 10 Central Western Education Trailer, Australian Rural Education Centre Co-operative Ltd Education Trailer and De Olde Nabiac Klub First Aid Kit & Training. Each project, from air-conditioning in the hall to portable yard panels and a pop-up gazebo, will satisfy a need in their community and benefit many. Taking part is easy: Identify a need in your rural NSW community Partner with a local community organisation Create a project plan for your initiative Eligibility criteria To be eligible applicants must be a resident of the rural NSW community the project will benefit. In the past this grant has carried an age limit of 35 years.  This age limit has now been lifted, however the RAS Foundation remains committed to fostering youth leadership and will earmark a portion of the available grant funding to projects driven by young people.   What types of projects are eligible? The RASF invites ideas that deliver strong community benefits and result in enhanced economic and social outcomes for your community.  Projects that involve collaboration between people in your town and deliver sustained and broad community benefits will be highly regarded. Applicants will be passionate about rural and regional NSW, and have a good understanding of any issues affecting their community. Infrastructure for local showgrounds and Show Societies are eligible. The improvements must demonstrate that they go beyond benefiting just the local Show Society in running the local Show, but rather enabling broader use by other community groups to run on-going projects or programs. What projects are not eligible? While the criteria for this program are broad, the RASF does not fund wages, consultant’s fees, one-off events, operational and administration costs, travel or accommodation. What is a Community Partner? A Community Partner can be any local agency or group that delivers a service, provides a benefit or whose purpose is charitable in nature. For example, educational organisations, your local Show Society or service club (Rotary, The Lions Club, Apex etc). Read about some of the projects the RAS Foundation has funded in the past. Applications for the 2020 RAS Foundation Community Futures Grant will open in November 2019.

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RAS Foundation Community Kitchen

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation (RASF) is giving rural and regional NSW community organisations the chance to receive kitchen cabinetry and appliances through their RASF Community Kitchen Grant program. The package will be made up of benches and cabinetry, along with at least $10,000 worth of appliances and whitegoods including a gas cooktop, oven, sink, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator and freezer.  The appliances are used for cooking demonstrations in The Australian Women's Weekly Theatre Kitchen at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. There are many buildings or facilities in rural and regional towns that can be transformed with a new kitchen, turning them into a more functional facility for the whole community. Just as the kitchen is the heart of the home, it follows that community kitchens are the absolute heart of rural and regional communities.  The 2019 kitchen, donated by IKEA®, was awarded to the Nowra East Community Garden Kitchen Project Team, Nowra East Public School and Nowra East Community Pride Group. The internal build of their Nowra East Community Kitchen can now be completed and will facilitate new programs including daily community cooking programs, Aboriginal Koori cook-ups, seniors cooking, multicultural cooking, garden to plate cooking and neighbourhood cooking programs. Nowra East Community Kitchen Project Manager, Alex McNeilly said, 'Making this available to all of the community supports social cohesion, inclusion and health, and creates a strong and resilient neighbourhood kitchen community.' Narrabri and District Pony Club received $4000 plus IKEA®,  kitchen appliances and cabinetry while Guyra Show Society received $5000 to put towards their kitchen refurbishment. Cowra Information & Neighbourhood Centre, Combara Ladies Club and Woodstock Memorial Show each received $2000 each from the RAS Foundation to kick-start their kitchen projects. The RASF invites rural and regional community organisations to apply and tell us how their community would benefit from a new kitchen. Who is eligible to apply? Community Centres Welfare organisations Churches Service Club e.g. CWA/Rotary Sporting clubs Show societies  Who is not eligible?  Privately or company owned facilities The successful applicant will need to meet the following requirements: The planned kitchen and appliances can only be installed into the agreed community owned / public building and cannot be for the benefit of an individual or company. The kitchen must be accessible to the wider community. The successful applicant will receive the appliances on packaged wooden palettes.  No colours or materials preference can be requested.  The coordination and cost of freight from Sydney Showground to the recipient community will be the responsibility of the successful applicant. All installation costs are also the responsibility of the successful applicant. The donated appliances should be removed from the Sydney Showground directly after the close of the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Installation of the kitchen needs to be completed approximately six months after the Sydney Royal Easter Show. The successful applicant, or a representative from the community organisation, will be required to attend a presentation event at the annual Sydney Royal Easter Show to accept the kitchen. Judging and selection Applications will be judged on merit by a panel of selectors, including representatives from the RASF Board. The application judged to be the most considered, meritorious and achievable will be awarded the kitchen. The selected projects must be implemented through the local community agency or group nominated in the application. The successful applicant is announced in approximately April each year. Further information If you have any queries about eligibility or any aspect of RASF Community Kitchen grant program, please contact the RASF on 02 9704 1226 or email  foundation@rasf.org.au . Applications for the RAS Foundation Community Kitchen Grant are now closed.

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Scholarships and grants

The RAS Foundation provides grants and scholarships to help rural Australians realise their potential through education, make a difference in their community and achieve their ambitions.

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Who benefits

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation is making a difference in country NSW by providing grants and scholarships for education and community development.

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Meet the Recipients

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Contact Us

RAS Foundation Locked Bag 4317 Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127 Tel:   02 9704 1226 Fax:  02 9704 1104 Email: foundation@rasf.org.au   RAS of NSW Foundation Limited ABN: 84 124 177 608  

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