Scholarships & Community Funding

The Gwydir Valley Cotton Growers Association is particularly proud of its Scholarships and Community Funding Programme.

Traditionally the Association (through the hard work of its community relations committee and wonderful support of many sponsors) has hosted an annual charity dinner, which raises in excess of $40,000. This money and other funds received by the Association has sponsored the studies of student doctors, nurses, midwives and other allied health professionals helped keep the Westpac Rescue Helicopter in the air and supported numerous local organisations and activities.

Current Scholarship Programs:

Cotton Industry Undergraduate Medical Scholarship

For the past decade, the Association has provided a $5,000 per year scholarship to help fund the final three years of a medical degree. This scholarship has been administered by the NSW Rural Doctor's Network ( www.nswrdn.com.au ).

In addition to providing financial assistance, the scholarship facilitates work experience placements for scholarship holders in rural regions.

It is hope that by assisting with the training of doctors, it will encourage medical graduates to practice within rural Australia.

This scholarship is currently open until Friday, 31st May.

Allied Health Scholarship

Gwydir Valley CGA provides a scholarship of up to $5,000 per year, up to three years for students undertaking undergraduate or post graduate studies in an allied health discipline.

Applicants or their immediate families must be residents of Moree Plains Shire Council, and undergraduate applicants must of successfully completed their first year.

Applications are now open for the 2013 Allied Health Scholarship.  Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, 22nd May.

Applications forms can be downloaded here.

The Medical/Allied Health Secondary School Scholarship

Gwydir Valley CGA is once again offering a $1000 scholarship to a Year 12 student either being home schooled within the Moree Plains Shire Council area, or attending Moree Secondary College.

The scholarship will assist students who wish to pursue a medical related career. The scholarship can be used on activities which will assist the student meet university entrance requirements, or provided them with a better understanding of their intended career.

Community Funding

Each year the Association considers a large number of requests for community funding.

In the past groups who have received support include the Aboriginal Employment Strategy, Moree Scouts, Car 2400 Variety Bash entrant, Gwydir Mobile Children's Service, Moree-on-a-Plate Food Festival, Fairview Retirement Village and the Moree Cotton Cup.

Organizations seeking financial support should contact the Secretary/Treasurer for additional information.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter

Gwydir Valley CGA is a major supporter of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.   Donations in the past 24-months to the local branch of this service have exceed $32,000.