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Scholarships assist young West Coasters’ education

Nine young West Coasters started the 2006 academic year with the boost of a Dennis Moore Memorial Scholarship to help them pursue education outside their home region. The scholarships, which range from $450 to $2500, are awarded by Presbyterian Support Upper South Island with assistance from the Uniting Church Council.

The recipients this year are:

• Jamie Banks of Hokitika, who wants to be a doctor
• Hannah Watson of Greymouth, to study fashion design
• Nicole Mathewson of Reefton, who wants to be a journalist
• Emma Cochrane of Cobden, who wants to enter medical school
• Nicole Neighbours of Westport, to study towards a BCom in marketing and management
• Lisa Smith of Westport, who wants to be an art curator
• Lucinda Tregidga of Westport to study towards a BA in English literature and history and a BSc in linguistics
• Aimee Crosby of Westport, to study towards a BSc in genetics
• Haidee Ryan of Westport, to study towards a BSc in medical sciences 

The Reverend Dennis Moore was a Presbyterian Minister who served in the parish of Ross, South Westland, for many years. Throughout his life and ministry, Dennis showed a keen interest in people and was especially concerned for young people in need. When he died in 1999 he left a bequest to Presbyterian Support. After discussion with his family, Presbyterian Support believed it appropriate to set aside $10,000 per annum of his bequest to form a permanent legacy to his commitment to young people on the West Coast. Following further consultation with the Union parishes on the West Coast and the Moore family, Presbyterian Support established a fund to enable permanently residing West Coast young people to gain a scholarship to further their education. The fund also promotes life skills programmes in schools, and provides for the training of youth leaders.

The awards committee is made up of Andrew Johnston, a relative of Dennis Moore and  Presbyterian Support Board Member; Chief Executive Officer Vaughan Milner; and two members of the Uniting Church Council, Thelma Efford and the Rev John Drylie.