Our Impact

The Shoalhaven Education Fund (SEF) provides grants, scholarships and support to local school leavers who aspire to further education after school.

There is no doubt that students from rural, regional and remote areas face unique and often significant challenges in undertaking, aspiring to and accessing education. But, we know that no matter what is thrown at them, our country students always show resilience and determination, finding a way to make their education goals a reality.

Shoalhaven Education Fund supports young people from the ages of 16-25 throughout the Shoalhaven Community, from Berry in the north to Ulladulla in the south and everywhere in between.

Since 2012, we have raised over $350,000 and awarded grants to more than 300 young people to help with their costs of post-school studies, vocational studies, apprenticeships and entry level employment.

Many of these have stayed in, or returned to, the Shoalhaven after their studies and are now working locally, including as nurses, teachers, vets, mechanics, chefs and social workers. Others have gone on to careers in the performing arts, academia and business.

We award funds on the basis of financial need, to those who are leaving school or have left school but have not been able to take up opportunities open to them. People often ask why we choose to help them at this particular point in their lives. And the answer is that leaving school is a critical tipping point for them, and also for our wider community. In helping these young people, we are saying “we want young people in our community to have a better future, to reach their goals, and to help improve our collective life. We understand that supporting our young people builds a stronger community for us all – and we’re prepared to do as much as we can to make that happen”.

As a part of the Country Education Foundation network, our contribution is included in the national Impact Report 2022.