Young Aucklanders win prestigious scholarships

Pictured from left: Pania Newton from Southern Cross Campus in Mangere, Oscar Lyons from Rosmini College in Takapuna and Shirin Zeinalpour from Aorere College in Papatoetoe.

Three young Aucklanders have been given a generous helping hand in their university studies thanks to the Sir George Elliot Charitable Trust.

Shirin Zeinalpour from Aorere College in Papatoetoe, Oscar Lyons from Rosmini College in Takapuna, and Pania Newton from Southern Cross Campus in Mangere, received their Sir George Elliot Charitable Trust scholarship awards from the Governor-General, Anand Satyanand, at Government House in Auckland on 21st November.

Each of the three scholars received a certificate and $25,000 that will be paid to them over the duration of their chosen first degree.

There were a large number of applications and the selection panel considered applications from a very high class field of talented young people.

The trust feels that the awards have gone to students who will go on to further success and reflect much credit on the award.

Sir George Elliot was a benefactor, philanthropist and successful businessman who died in 1956 after a long life of involvement in the work of the community.

The Sir George Elliot Charitable Trust was established in 1956 to support community work and education.

The trust has, over the years, supported many different community initiatives and projects including: development of local hospices, development of community facilities such as information centres, halls, large theatre complexes and facilities for the care of the elderly.

The presentation was also attended by fellow trustees Stuart Middleton, Geoff Clews, Bill Gavin and Linda Fox, as well as family members of the scholars, and the granddaughter of Sir George Elliot himself.

Principals of the three schools, who also attended the presentation, received a certificate and a donation from the trust of $500 to each school’s library in recognition of their students’ success.