Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington with Claire Mason … heading off to university

January 24, 2013

Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington has congratulated Kingaroy resident Claire Mason, 17, on receiving one of the State Government’s inaugural “Supporting Women Scholarships”.

Mrs Frecklington recently caught up with Claire to learn more about how the scholarship will help when she heads off to university next month.

“It was a pleasure to meet Claire and congratulate her on being one of just 141 women from around Queensland selected to receive a scholarship,” Mrs Frecklington said.

“It’s wonderful to see one of our local women receive one of these scholarships. I think it’s so important that regional women are supported through initiatives such as these.”

Claire’s scholarship was officially awarded when her enrolment in her chosen course, Bachelor of Environmental Science, was confirmed recently. She will be heading off to the University of Queensland next month to start her four-year degree.

Of the 141 scholarships offered, 27 were awarded to women looking to change careers, 25 to women who were returning to study and 89 to school leavers.

“Our government’s ‘Supporting Women Scholarships’program will provide 500 scholarships of up to $20,000 over four years for women who commence study in male-dominated industries which are also areas of skills shortage,” she said.

“Scholarship recipients will receive up to $5000 per year for the length of their qualification to offset the costs associated with their study, such as program fees, text books and course materials.

“The ‘Supporting Women Scholarships’ are a practical and effective way for the government to help lift women’s participation in traditionally male-dominated occupations and industries.”

[Photo: Nanango Electorate Office]