First National real estate offers new business scholarships

Ten regional real estate agents under the First National North Coast Group have agreed to pool their resources and support two new Southern Cross University business scholarships.

The agents are: Bailey & Gough First National (Grafton), Byron Bay First National, Evans Head First National, Maclean First National, Mike Macqueen First National (Yamba), Savins First National (Casino), Wal Murray & Co (Lismore, Alstonville and Ballina), and Yuraygir First National (Wooli).

Chris Hanley, who heads Byron Bay First National, said he believed that to support young people to obtain good qualifications in business at their local university was ‘a great and worthwhile activity’.

“Business qualifications are highly applicable in the real estate industry,” he said. “In our industry, people spend a lot of money on marketing and promotion. We would rather spend that money on worthwhile local activities that support the community rather than traditional marketing.

“It is our intention to engage with the community, support the valued work of Southern Cross University in educating business professionals and support the education of our local students.

“The First National group has offices in almost every town in the Southern Cross University feeder region. Some of our staff have studied there or have children or family members who have studied or are currently studying at the University. By supporting these scholarships we are putting money back into the communities that support our businesses.”

Mr Hanley said the First National group consists of independent real estate agents who came together back in 1981 to form an association to maximise the effectiveness of their business. “The group prides itself on reputation for exceptional service, progressive leadership and a flawless reputation,” he said.

The new Bachelor of Business scholarships add to the pool of more than 30 industry-supported scholarships and Vice-Chancellor’s scholarships on offer at Southern Cross University for 2008. Although the closing date for most scholarship applications has already passed, any prospective student who has already applied for other 2008 scholarships and meets the selection criteria will automatically be considered for the First National scholarships.

For further information about the scholarship program visit http://scu.edu.au/scholarships/ or email scholarships@scu.edu.au.