Parliament House Canberra ACT 2602
Telephone 02 6277 7820 Facsimile 02 6273 4140
The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA056
Friday, 3 July 2009
BURSARIES AWARDED TO FIVE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN TERTIARY STUDENTS
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, today announced five South Australian students, 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.
“More than 250 sons and daughters of Vietnam veterans have 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.
This year five* students in South Australia have received bursaries.
Kelly Ferenczi, Houghton, Bachelor of Interior Architecture, University of South Australia.
Lauren Hadaway, Pooraka, Bachelor of Arts (health promotion, linguistics), Flinders University.
Rhys Murray, Hallett Cove, Bachelor of Pharmacy, University of South Australia.
Sharnee Scott, Woodside, Bachelor of Health Science, Adelaide University.
Mr Griffin said Long Tan Bursaries totalling more than $500,000 would be presented to 56 Australian
students in the coming weeks. 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 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: One of the recipients has asked to remain anonymous.
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
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