• In 2021 Charles Sturt University will award 370 scholarships worth more than $1.8 million
• At a ceremony on Friday 21 May at Charles Sturt in Bathurst, students in Bathurst and Orange received 132 scholarships and 10 prizes worth $656,250 in total
• Paramedicine student Ms Emma Bennetts from Mendooran, NSW, received an Inland Rail Scholarship

Students studying at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst and Orange have been presented with 132 scholarships and 10 prizes valued at $656,250 at the annual scholarship presentation ceremony.

The ceremony was held at Rafters at Charles Sturt in Bathurst from 11am to 1.30pm on Friday 21 May.

Across the University, the Charles Sturt University Foundation will award 370 scholarships worth more than $1.8 million at five regional ceremonies over the next two weeks.

At Charles Sturt in Bathurst, paramedicine student Ms Emma Bennetts (pictured left) from Mendooran, NSW, was a 2021 recipient of the Inland Rail Scholarship, worth $16,000 over three years.

Ms Bennetts is from a farming family and is studying a Bachelor of Paramedicine in the Charles Sturt School of Biomedical Sciences.

“I chose to study paramedicine as I believe it is a great way to make a difference in a community as well as having the opportunity to help people when they need it the most,” she said. “Coming from a rural area myself I know how important these services are to the community.”

Ms Bennetts said she applied for the Inland Rail Scholarship as the corporation resonates with many of her beliefs, as she is passionate about regional and remote areas of Australia and one day wants to contribute to one of these communities.

“Inland Rail provide great opportunities for many university students like me that are from rural and remote regions of Australia, as well as providing opportunities for many other people in these communities,” she said.

“It is hard to express my gratitude and how much this scholarship means to me, as it will help me throughout my degree and will allow me to focus on university, instead of the stress of supporting myself while living away from home.

“This scholarship will allow me to continue to pursue my dream of becoming a paramedic and I hope to be able to one day give back to my rural community.”

The Milestone Donors at Charles Sturt in Bathurst this year are Dr Ron Camplin, OAM, and his wife Stephanie. They have supported the Charles Sturt Foundation Trust since it started and provide annual scholarships.