Parliament House Canberra ACT 2602
Telephone 02 6277 7820 Facsimile 02 6273 4140
The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA065
Friday, 31 July 2009
BURSARIES AWARDED TO 17 TERTIARY STUDENTS IN NSW AND THE ACT
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, today announced 17 students studying in New
South Wales and the ACT, all children of Vietnam veterans, would receive up to $9000 each in
Australian Government funding to help them complete tertiary education.
Mr Griffin said the Long Tan Bursary scheme helps the children of Vietnam veterans pursue
tertiary education.
“The Long Tan Bursary scheme aims to help dedicated students achieve their long-term study
goals by easing the financial cost of their tertiary study,” Mr Griffin said.
“Fifty-six bursaries totalling more than $500,000 were awarded this year to tertiary students
across the country. More than 300 sons and daughters of Vietnam veterans have now
benefited from the Bursary scheme since it was introduced in 2000.”
Named after the Battle of Long Tan in which 18 Australians lost their lives, the bursaries are
available for tertiary students, including mature age students, who have achieved good
academic results and have overcome personal challenges to successfully complete their
secondary education.
“These students have proven their determination to pursue their studies and I congratulate them
on their determination and perseverance to succeed in their chosen career paths,” Mr Griffin
said.
“The Bursary recognises that children of Vietnam veterans can face health and wellbeing
challenges due to their parent’s service and attempts to relieve these students of some financial
burden so they can concentrate on completing their studies successfully.
“The Australian Government is also seeking to lift the aspirations of students who would
previously never have considered university. As well as other reforms to student income
support, the 2009-10 Budget introduced two new scholarships. The scholarships provide
university students receiving financial assistance under the Veterans’ Children Education
Scheme and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act Education and Training Scheme
a start-up scholarship of $2254 a year. A relocation scholarship, worth $4000 in the first year
and $1000 each year after will be available for those students who have to move away from
home to study,” Mr Griffin said.
For more information on the Long Tan Bursary go to Long Tan Bursary Information Page or for
more information on student income support reforms, go to 2009–10 Commonwealth Budget -
Home.
Media inquiries: Belinda Cole 0437 863 109
Editors note: A list of bursary recipients from NSW and the ACT is attached.
The VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a
week on 1800 011 046.To receive the Minister’s media releases automatically by email subscribe at
minister.dva.gov.au/subscribe.htm
Long Tan Bursary recipients for New South Wales and the ACT*
Sharonlee Cameron, Albury, Diploma of Clinical Hypnotherapy, Academy of Applied
Hypnosis at Lindfield, Sydney.
Kate Drummond, Albury, Bachelor of Nursing, Charles Sturt University, Albury.
Sarah Gillam, Redhead, Bachelor of Arts, Newcastle University.
Tyrone Holt, Mount Druitt, Diploma in IT (Multi Media), Western Institute of TAFE, Mount
Druitt.
Zakary Huggett-Wright, Jerrabomberra Heights, Advanced Diploma Computer Forensics,
Canberra Institute of Technology.
James Lindsay, Belmont, Bachelor of Science (Biological Science), University of Western
Sydney.
Chanelle Littler, Pappinbarra, Bachelor of Teaching, Bachelor of Early Childhood, Newcastle
University.
Jaxon O’Shea, Ariah Park, Bachelor of Civil Engineering, University of New South Wales.
Natasha Palmer, Lithgow, Bachelor of Agricultural Management, Charles Sturt University,
Orange.
Lachlan Peattie, Blackmans Bay, Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of Economics, Australian
National University, Canberra.
Hugh Podmore, Double Bay, Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Arts (Hons), University of
New South Wales.
Georgia Scherini, Ardlethan, Bachelor of Education (Primary), Charles Sturt University,
Wagga.
*Please note, five of the bursary recipients wish to remain anonymous.
NEWS 
