Yarrawonga has treated John Richards well in his 45 years as part of the community – so he wanted to give something back.
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Mr Richards, a long-time supporter of La Trobe University Albury-Wodonga, has launched an annual scholarship for undergraduate students aged 30 and under living within a 25km radius of the town.
“I owned a newsagent in Yarrawonga for nearly 25 years and the community has been good to me,” he said.
“I thought this was the best way of doing something for the town – helping a young person.
“I ran into one of my old paper boys and I hadn’t seen him for three or four years.
“He was telling me his young boy was going to university this year and I told him about the scholarship.”
The John Richards Yarrawonga and District Undergraduate Scholarship recipient will receive $6000 to support their studies.
La Trobe University Albury-Wodonga head of campus Guin Threlkeld said it would be the perfect opportunity for school-leavers and potential scholars to get a foot in the door.
“From where I sit, an increasing number of our students have to work an increasing number of hours in paid employment to support themselves through university,” she said.
“A scholarship like this takes significant pressure off the need to generate income.
“Whilst it’s helping the individual, in the long run it strengthens a community as well – we know education is a great asset.”
While the scholarship is not specific to a discipline, Mr Richards hoped a future recipient might aspire to study ageing in regional communities, the focus of the John Richards Research Initiative.
The JRI will celebrate its 10 year anniversary in 2017 – much to the pride of Mr Richards.
“It’s had overseas interest – going back some years ago, an international conference on social participation was held and I had the shock of my life when I was told I would be giving the opening address,” he said.
“Afterwards, a professor from an English university came up to me and said, ‘We’re only 10 miles out of London and we have exactly the same problems’.”
Dr Threlkeld said Mr Richard’s ongoing support was invaluable to the university.
“He thinks very carefully about what will make a difference,” she said.
“We are very fortunate to have someone step forward like John has – the generosity is extraordinary.”
Scholarship applications are open until February 17 and can be made at: www.latrobe.edu.au/scholarships/the-john-richards-yarrawonga-and-district-undergraduate-scholarship.