Top achievers receive awards

With a UAI score of 94.05 Adam Brownell had his pick of universities, but after four years at boarding school in Sydney he decided it was time for a change.

Adam moved to Coffs Harbour this year to begin a Bachelor of Business in Hotel and Resort Management at Southern Cross University.

His decision has paid off and this week he was one of a number of students to receive scholarships and awards for excellence at the University’s annual Student Scholarship and Excellence Award Ceremony.

“I boarded at King’s School in Parramatta for four years and I just wanted to get out of Sydney. I come from Tamworth and wanted to stay reasonably close to home,” Adam said.

“I have this crazy idea of owning hotels around the world and this was the ideal course. I love it here. It’s an absolutely fantastic spot.

“It was definitely hard to say goodbye to my friends but you’ve really just got to go out on a limb if you want to get anywhere in life.”

Luke Turner, who also received a Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship, received a UAI of 91.6 after completing Year 12 at Orara High School and is now studying a Bachelor of Business.

“Obviously the cost of going outside Coffs Harbour is quite severe and Southern Cross University has got a good reputation for the Bachelor Business,” Luke said.

“I’ve met a lot of great people and the lecturers are really good. It was very unexpected to receive this scholarship but it’s a great honour.

“I didn’t think I’d have much of chance but it will definitely help with the costs.”

Southern Cross University has awarded a total of five Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships this year. The other recipients are: Carly Bindon, Bachelor of Naturopathy, Jessica Harvey, Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) and Maia Osborn, Bachelor of Education.

Coffs Harbour industry scholarships were awarded to: Joshua Hills - Coffs Ex-Services Club; Jason Sleeman and Chantelle Conalino - ETC; and Broderick Ashmole and Emma Caldwell - Quota International.

Awards for Excellence were presented to: Matthew Fitzgerald, CPA Australia First Year Prize, Real Estate Institute Prize and the Yeates Prize; Benaiah Newton, Gairbraid Scholarship; Andrew Couchman, Jim Bloomfield Memorial Prize; Joshua Hills, Coffs Harbour Rotary Club Prize; and Christine McMillan, Coffs Ex-Services Achievement Award.

Photo: Adam Brownell (left) and Luke Turner have received Southern Cross University Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships.