The Noosa Chances gala dinner on Saturday 27 November at Noosa Waterfront Bar & Restaurant for 102 guests was hailed a success as an initiative to support new education scholarships for talented young people in the shire.
Celebrity chefs Andrea Ravezzani, Michael Bedford, Chris Hagan, Zeb Gilbert and Adriano Zumbo delivered a superb five-course degustation menu while about $80,000 was raised, largely from prizes.
Tara Bell of Noosa Chances said the impact and total dollar value of the night would extend far beyond this, with many new multi-year scholarships pledged by generous individuals.
“Noosa Chances is currently supporting 39 talented students in the Noosa Shire and will add at least 20 new scholarships in 2022 thanks to the generosity of our supporters,“ she said.
“We also have a further 20 that will be sponsored.
“Prospective scholarship recipients are identified by their school principals and talents range from academic excellence to the arts to creative design. Scholarships commence in high school and last for the duration of a young person’s education, subject to annual review.”
Bernadette James, mother of scholarship recipient, Billy James, who spoke on the night, said being a parent of a Noosa Chances scholarship recipient had provided her with many proud moments.
“My son has access to all tools required to make his education aspirations attainable. He already has a love of learning and music. His ambition now is to make Noosa Chances as proud as his mum,” she said.
Dr Kirsten Baulch and her husband Graeme fund a scholarship student, Lille Mellin, after Lille was identified as a scholarship candidate in Year 12 by Noosa District State High School principal Brett Burgess.
Lille has just finished her first year of medical school.
“Graeme and I are delighted to be helping Lille financially until she finishes her university studies, but I hope to also be a source of encouragement and support for her as she then navigates being a young doctor,“ Dr Baulch said.
Tara said Noosa Chances’ first student survey showed 94 per cent of students said receiving a Noosa Chances scholarship increased their motivation to work hard, and 97 per cent said the scholarship increased their hope for the future.
“$1500 per year is a modest amount of money to fund a scholarship, but we know for sure it makes a huge difference in the lives of our very deserving recipients,“ she said.
Mayor Clare Stewart said, as a long term supporter of Noosa Chances, she remained impressed with the bringing together and support of community of this hard working team’s initiatives.
“The impact of their education scholarships on the life prospects of our talented young people and their families is remarkable and I applaud Noosa Chances for their success in just two years since they commenced,“ she said.
