20 Years Of Scholarships Celebrated

Posted by Gold FM on 13/02/2012

Each year Newmont Waihi Gold awards Waihi College's top five students scholarships to assist them with their first year of tertiary studies.

On Friday the 10th of February a celebration was held at the Golden Legacy Centre on the Morseby Avenue/Savage Road corner to mark 20 years since the sholarships began and to present the scholarship awards.

Newmont General Manager Glen Grindlay presented each of the 5 recipients, Laurie Ruttersmith, Chloe Potts, Charlotte Burt, Jakob Twidle and Solstice James with a $2,000 scholarship.

It was a double celebration this time around as it's been 20 years since the fund was started.

Some past recipients also attended the celebrations and between them they have impressive credentials in a range of industries. Some of them are still living in Waihi and putting their skills to use here. Dr Tineke Iverson who is a GP at the Waihi Medical Centre was awarded a scholarship in 1993, and Michelle Mulgrew (now Brewerton) is a vet at the Waihi Beach Vet Clinic. Lawyers, doctors, scientists, engineers and graphic designers are just some of the array of professions represented by past recipients of the scholarship.

There are also 7 families who have had more than one member receive an award. The Littlejohn and O'Hagan families have each produced three recipients since the Waihi Gold Mining Education Trust was established in 1992.

As well as the scholarships Newmont supports the college with funding to help enhance educational facilities.

Approximately $620,000 has been invested into the Trust to date.

Michelle Brewerton (nee Mulgrew) and Harry Shepherd cut the cake.