The Honourable David Templeman Minister for Local Government; Heritage; Culture and The Arts visited Collie earlier this month to meet with Shire of Collie representative and award a scholarship to a local horticultural studies student.
Minister Templeman awarded the $4500 scholarship to Shire of Collie Parks and Gardens employee, Sandy Marshall who is currently completing a diploma of horticulture.
“The Department of Local Government have had these scholarships for a number of years and they are there to support people in places like Collie for ongoing training,” Minister Templeman said.
“This is a scholarship particularly focusing on horticulture, this is one was the government can continue to support local, on the ground training.”
Minister Templeman met with shire representatives during his visit to discuss the upcoming review of the Local Government Act.
“We have had a good conversation with the shire president and the CEO about a whole range of local government matters including the review of the Local Government Act,” Minister Templeman said.
Shire of Collie CEO David Blurton said scholarships to further training were important in regional areas. “I think it is really important to have scholarships like these, especially in a place like Collie where opportunities for young people are pretty limited, so it’s really important from our aspect to be able to provide those opportunities,” he said.
Member for Collie-Preston Mick Murray said he supported opportunities that aimed at people engaging in further studies.
“It helps with the cost and it’s about recognition and keeping people in training because too often people go so far in a training program then find it a bit difficult and pull out, but to get that recognition and the scholarship helps to carry them through,” he said.
Shire of Collie employee and scholarship recipient Sandy Marshall said she was grateful for the study boost.
“Very surprising and overwhelming and I am very grateful to have the opportunity to further my studies,” she said.
