AEC - Aboriginal Education Council (NSW) Inc.

Primary

Following on the undoubted success of the Aboriginal Education Council’s Incentive Scholarships Scheme from 1966 – 1972, which led to both the Liberal and the Labor Governments adopting and funding the Scholarship Scheme for Aboriginal students attending secondary schools, the AEC turned its attention to meeting the needs of students in primary classes.

Since 1973, many hundreds of primary school Aboriginal students have been encouraged in their studies simply because they were awarded an Aboriginal Education Council Scholarship. These awards, based on need and/or ability, have done much to build the self-esteem and confidence of the students.

The Aboriginal Education Council Primary Scholarships are awarded at the beginning of each school year to up to 100 selected Aboriginal students who are in their final year of primary education (Year 6).

In 2005 one hundred primary scholarships were awarded to Aboriginal students who had been nominated by their respective Department of Education and Training Educational Regions. The allocation of these scholarships in 2005 was as follows:-
  • Hunter Central Coast Region – 12 scholarships – (% of Aboriginal students 14%)
  • Illawarra and South Coast Region – 10 scholarships – (% of Aboriginal students 10%)
  • New England Region - 11 scholarships –(% of Aboriginal students 10%)
  • North Coast Region – 15 scholarships – (% of Aboriginal students 17%)
  • North Sydney Region – 4 scholarships - (% of Aboriginal students 2%)
  • Riverina Region – 8 scholarships – (% of Aboriginal students 7%)
  • South West Sydney Region – 8 scholarships – (% of Aboriginal students 7%)
  • Sydney Region – 8 scholarships – (% of Aboriginal students 6%)
  • Western Region – 14 scholarships – (% of Aboriginal students 17%)
  • Western Sydney Region – 10 scholarships – (% of Aboriginal students 10%)
It is due to the generosity of our regular sponsors that the AEC has been able to offer the primary scholarships since 1973.

The AEC thanks our sponsors for their continued support, viz:- NRMA Foundation; John and Gwenda Lloyd; Rotary Club of Crows Nest; Rotary Club of Kings Cross; Norman Catts Trust; Country Women’s Association of NSW and individual donors to the AEC’s Primary Scholarship program.

John D. Ward (Coordinator of AEC Primary School Scholarships) 29.4.05