Funding boost for Indigenous students
26 November 2009
More than 100 Indigenous students throughout the state have received a share of the $500,000 Queensland Certificate of Education Scholarship Support Program to help them to complete their secondary studies.
The students from 10 state schools each received their scholarships last October as the first initiative of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation (QATSIF).
QATSIF chairperson Professor Cindy Shannon said the initiative aimed to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students completing a Queensland Certificate of Education.
'We are excited at the interest shown in our first initiative and extremely proud to be able to invest in the future of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders,' Professor Shannon said.
Four students from Toowoomba State High School received scholarships which will be paid over two years starting from 2010.
Principal Chris Zilm said the initiative recognised their hard work and commitment.
'I am very proud of these students and the program will really assist them to achieve their goals,' Mr Zilm said.
Students from Barcaldine State High, Flagstone State Community College, Kirwan State High, Longreach State High, Rosewood State High, Spinifex College, Tannum Sands State High, Townsville State High and Woodridge State High also received scholarships.
QATSIF was established in 2008 with funding from the State Government's former Aborigines Welfare Fund and Indigenous Wages and Savings Reparations Scheme.
For more information visit the website 
Helping young readers
State Government funding of more than $500,000 over four years will expand a reading to children initiative to Indigenous communities in the Far North, Cape York and Torres Strait.
Announced by Premier Anna Bligh on October 27, the funding will enable non-government organisation The Smith Family to extend its early childhood literacy program, Let's Read, to 14 locations across Queensland.
Premier Bligh said the funding would help to ensure all young Queenslanders were given the best chance at success through the development of vital literacy skills.
'We want strong futures for all Queensland children, especially Indigenous students,' Ms Bligh said. 'There is still a significant gap between the educational achievements and outcomes of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.'
The funding will be used to recruit and train community volunteers such as grandparents to read to young children. It will also provide opportunities for family members to further their own reading skills, in order to support their children's learning.
'The training means they can not only read to the children but also teach them the value of early language and literacy skills,' Ms Bligh said.
'Age appropriate books will be bought with the funding to encourage parents to read to children from the day they are born.'
For details visit The Smith Family website
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