A little over a decade ago, to mark Community Bank Freshwater’s 10th anniversary with something able to make ongoing, positive impact for residents, the Bank gave birth to their Tertiary Scholarships Program. Now in its 11th year, the program has provided $387,000 to 87 students, with a further 9 being announced between September 2023 and February 2024.
“Nothing of this nature or magnitude existed on the Northern Beaches,” explains Peter Harley, the Tertiary Scholarships Director. “Most scholarships exist within the universities themselves, and none of them are local.”
The program provides $2,000 to nine students, one from each of the local high schools: St Luke’s Grammar School, St Augustine’s College, St Paul’s Catholic School, Stella Maris College, and the five arms of Northern Beaches Secondary College Campus: Balgowlah Boys, Cromer, Mackellar Girls, Manly Selective and Freshwater Senior.
“The selection of the scholarship recipient is determined by their school,” says Peter. “The teachers, principal, the school communities, they know the students the best. We leave the decision in their hands, though we do have three criteria.”
Firstly, The Bridges Principle: The scholarship winner must reside within the holy trinity of Spit Bridge to Roseville Bridge to the Narrabeen Bridges. Apologies north Northern Beaches but, in this case, the world does revolve around a strict Freshwater radius. Second, Academic Criteria: this doesn’t refer to the highest achieving students academically, but for all-rounders displaying talents and aptitude across a broad range of disciplines. Most importantly, Community Involvement: this criterion ensures the scholarships go to students who’ve displayed a clear community mindset in their approach to daily life.
Beyond the nine $2,000 scholarships, there’s one $15,000(!) scholarship winner. On the Monday of University O-week, 5 February 2024, each of the nine students, and their school principal, and parents will attend a ceremony along with James Griffin, Manly MP at one of the local SLSC’s for the announcement of the Ken Ward Memorial Scholarship 2024 Student of the Year winner. The pressure for this occasion is not on the students – for once! – but on their principal, as it is their task to step forward to present the credentials of their school leaver for ultimate honours of receiving the $15,000 scholarship, as decided by an independent panel and an educational adjudicator.
Piper Harrison was one such winner, superstar ironwoman who, at 21, has already had a crack at local politics! “My Uni and training commitments leave little time for work, meaning I only have the capacity to work casually as a learn to swim teacher,” says Piper. “The scholarship has meant I can study my dream degree with less concern about the financial burden of it, given my limited time to work long hours. I will be forever grateful for the generosity of Community Bank Freshwater.”
Manly MP James Griffin is a big supporter of the program too. “My sincerest thanks to the wonderful team at Community Bank Freshwater for their continued support of our amazing young people through their scholarship program. I know from speaking to past recipients, it makes a huge impact!”
Community Bank Freshwater’s Tertiary Scholarships program
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Visit the branch at 9-15 Lawrence Street, Freshwater, follow @communitybankfreshwater on socials, and call 9939 6744 for all community banking information.