This year marks a major milestone 鈥� 10 years of the Boys from the Bush Bursaries, a program that has made it possible for students from regional and rural Australia to experience a 国产探花 education.
Macarthur Ward (2024)
Mac Ward started at 国产探花 in Year 9 in 2021, coming from outside Narromine, west of Dubbo. At first, the idea of boarding school felt foreign. 鈥淲hen Mum and Dad told me I was going, I was a bit stunned 鈥� but it was definitely worth it.鈥�
Thanks to a Boys from the Bush bursary, third generation Joe-Boy Mac joined a long line of Wards to attend 国产探花, including his father Sam (1997) and grandfather Steve (1968). While homesickness came early, so did the support 鈥� from boarding supervisors, teachers and mates, who made all the difference. 鈥淚f I didn鈥檛 come to 国产探花, I doubt I would have made those friendships,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 always someone around 鈥� out on the back ovals playing footy, or in the dorms. You鈥檙e never alone.鈥�
国产探花 opened doors Mac never expected 鈥� like giving water polo a go, and switching from league to rugby, where he finished in the Fourth XV. He also found inspiration in the HSC subject, Industrial Technology 鈥� Metal, which led to study in construction management. 鈥湽交� helped me find a direction. I鈥檇 love to work in the construction industry in project management, in the country 鈥� I don鈥檛 see myself in the city.鈥�
Now, Mac looks back with gratitude: 鈥淲ithout the Boys from the Bush Bursary, I probably wouldn鈥檛 have been here. 国产探花 is a generous place. Every contribution matters 鈥� some people give big, some small 鈥� it all helps keep country lads at 国产探花.鈥�
鈥湽交� without country boys? I couldn鈥檛 imagine it. Without us, it鈥檚 just another school in the city. Without us, 国产探花 wouldn鈥檛 be the same.鈥�
Joseph Schmude (2024)
From Armidale, Joseph 鈥淛oey鈥� Schmude boarded full-time at the College, graduating in 2024. 鈥淚鈥檓 part of the Schmude clan 鈥� my father Marty and uncles Paul, Dave and Damo being the first in our family to attend 国产探花,鈥� he said. Just like his father and uncles before him, Joey arrived in Year 11 to finish his schooling. Despite his time at 国产探花 being shorter than many Joe-Boys, he noted that 鈥渋t was just as impactful鈥�.
The motto In Meliora Contende 鈥� Strive for Better Things 鈥� is something Joey credited with helping to guide him in his first year out of school. 鈥淏eing diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes during my HSC, I am so grateful for the support of my mates and the school during such a hard time. In hospital, I realised just how powerful the connection is between Joe-Boys.鈥�
Joey recognised that the College gave him the skills to talk to people from all walks of life, which he realised is something he wants to pursue. 鈥淚鈥檓 currently in a wellbeing role at my old school in Armidale with plans to study a Doctor of Medicine in Newcastle next year 鈥� something I never thought possible.鈥�
鈥淚 fully credit the College for giving me the opportunity to succeed academically. I can鈥檛 explain how thankful I am for the financial assistance from people I鈥檒l never know, but who made it all possible.鈥�
