Scholarships Awarded to Torres Strait Students
For Immediate Release 16/02/2009

The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) through its Assistance with Tertiary Education Scheme (ATES) has awarded scholarships to four university students from the region.

TSRA Chairperson Mr Toshie Kris said ATES was established to provide financial assistance towards living and study expenses for Indigenous students from the Torres Strait who wish to undertake study at a mainland university campus.

“ATES assesses applicants against a number of criteria including the student’s commitment to undertake fulltime study and their intention to return to work in the Torres Strait after acquiring their qualification,” said Mr Kris.

“Mr Thomas Ahwang, Ms Sayuri Fujii, and Mr Shayne Ahboo are the recipients of ATES 2009, each will receive a scholarship worth $6000 each,” said Mr Kris.

“Thomas will be studying for a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts (print making), Sayuri a Bachelor of Justice and Shayne will undertake a Bachelor of Medicine,” said Mr Kris.

For the first time this year Queensland Senator Sue Boyce, in conjunction with the TSRA will administer the Morey Scholarship through ATES.

Senator Boyce will fund this $6000 scholarship, which is named after her paternal great grandfather Mr Fredrick E. Morey, who had operated a fleet of pearl luggers in the Torres Strait.

Ms Stacee Ketchell is the recipient of the inaugural Morey Scholarship and is studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management.

TSRA Chairperson Mr Kris added, “on behalf of the TSRA Board, I would like to thank Senator Boyce for choosing TSRA’s ATES to deliver the Morey Scholarship and I congratulate each of the four recipients and wish them the best in their chosen fields of study.”

ENDS

TSRA Media Contact: Susan Reilly 4069 0700.