Eight former students from Catholic schools in five cities have been awarded prestigious scholarships by the Playford Trust.
The students were among more than 40 students honoured at a ceremony in Adelaide.
All are studying in areas considered of strategic importance to South Australia.
This year’s recipients of the annual scholarships range from first-year undergraduates to PhD researchers – and a third hail from regional areas. They shared more than $600,000 in scholarship funding from the Trust and its partners.
“The talent is remarkable and the study areas diverse,” said the Trust’s Chair, former Premier Dean Brown. “They’re working in everything from lasers, photonics and renewable energy to bushfire risk, artificial intelligence and traffic management technologies.
“For the first time, six space scholarships are being awarded in conjunction with the Andy Thomas Space Foundation. If this group of 46 is any indication, we are in very good hands.”
Established in 1983 in honour of Sir Thomas Playford, the State’s longest-serving Premier, the Trust has supported more than 600 students in the past decade alone. It combines its own funds with support from 37 partners across industry, government, the universities and the community. “Together we’re investing in South Australia’s future,” Mr Brown said.
“Encouraging and fostering skills and research in areas where South Australia has the greatest competency and opportunity will help us meet the growing need for innovation, knowledge and workers in the future.”
The Trust focuses its university scholarships and TAFE awards on five key study areas: advanced manufacturing and new technologies; environmental sciences, including water and energy; health sciences and enabling technologies; agriculture, aquaculture and food production; and mining and resource development.
Congratulations to the following Catholic school graduates who received Playford Trust Awards:
Dana Hurrell - St Joseph’s School, Port Lincoln
Dana received the St Ann's Foundation/Playford Trust Residential Scholarship to support her studies in science at the University of Adelaide and her residency at St Ann’s College. She plans to progress to a Master of Teaching then to build a career as a secondary school teacher specialising in chemistry and mathematics.
Gabriela Coehlo – St Aloysius College, Adelaide
Gabriela was awarded one of six inaugural Space Science Scholarships awarded by the Playford Trust in conjunction with The Andy Thomas Space Foundation. She has already completed a Space Industry Pilot Work Experience Placement at the University of Adelaide.
Jade Simpson - St Joseph’s School, Port Lincoln
Jade was awarded a Playford Trust Regional Science and Engineering Scholarship to assist her as she undertakes a double degree in engineering and mathematical and computing sciences at the University of Adelaide.
Joshua Graham - Caritas College, Port Augusta
Joshua received the Chartwells / St Ann’s College/ Playford Trust Residential Scholarship to support his continuing engineering studies at the University of Adelaide and residency at St Ann’s. He began studying space science before transferring to electrical and electronic engineering, but his eye is still on a career as a satellite engineer.
Kaidy Morgan - St Joseph’s School, Port Lincoln
Kaidy received a Playford Trust Honours Scholarship to support her studies in Agricultural Science. In the future, she hopes to assist in developing the accessibility of information to farmers about the importance of soil health. Kaidy was invited to join the South Australian Premier’s inaugural Force40 initiative, which brought together 40 influential people to discuss the future of young people in this State.
Kenny Cao - Blackfriars College, Prospect
Kenny was awarded a AusIMM / Playford Trust Minerals Industry Scholarship. Kenny is in his final year of Engineering (Petroleum and Mining) studies at the University of Adelaide. He plans to one day specialise in production engineering, and open new avenues to more efficient mine production.
Lachlan Coathupe - Samaritan College, Whyalla
Lachlan was awarded a AusIMM / Playford Trust Minerals Industry Scholarships to support his studies in Chemical Engineering and Finance at the University of Adelaide. With a passionate for global sustainability, Lachlan hopes to work in the minerals industry at the completion of his studies.
Lucia Alvarez - St Marks College, Port Pirie
Lucia received a Playford Trust Regional Science and Engineering Scholarship to support her engineering, finance and banking studies at the University of Adelaide. She aims to become an engineer and is currently planning a career in the design and manufacturing of automobiles, with a focus on implementing renewable technologies.
Jeff Judd - Aquinas College, North Adelaide
Jeff is currently a resident at Catholic university residential college Aquinas College. Jeff was awarded a Playford Trust Regional Science and Engineering Scholarship. He is in his first year of Mathematics and Computer Sciences studies at the University of Adelaide, preparing for a career in software engineering.
Read more about the scholarships and see a full list of recipients at https://playfordtrust.com.au/investing-in-south-australia/.
Pictured above: Jade Simpson with the Honorable Susan Close, South Australian Deputy Premier.
Staff from Catholic Education South Australia will be available at the Pregnancy, Babies and Children’s Expo at the Adelaide Showground at Wayville on Saturday April 30 and Sunday May 1.
