Growing up in the remote opal mining community of Grawin, near Lightning Ridge in outback NSW, Taleah Anderson knew pursuing higher education would be a challenge.
The harsh landscape and financial barriers made university feel like a distant dream. But her passion for criminology drove her to push past the odds.
Now in her final year of a Bachelor of Criminology at the University of Newcastle—665km from home—Ms Anderson said she couldn’t have done it without the Country Education Foundation (CEF).
CEF’s financial assistance has helped cover essential supplies like a laptop and textbooks, and living costs such as rent. They even supported her creative passion by funding a camera and iPad for photography projects.
“Having a lump sum for uni expenses meant I could focus on assignments instead of stressing about money,” Ms Anderson said.
Ms Anderson grew up in the remote opal mining community of Grawin, near Lightning Ridge in outback New South Wales. Pic: Supplied
“Having access to funding for out-of-pocket study expenses meant I could focus on my assignments rather than stress over income,” she explained.
“Without it, I would have had to stay in Grawin and work before even attempting to follow my dreams.”
While studying, Ms Anderson works casually as a waitress, picking up a few hours a week to cover basic costs like groceries and petrol.
Returning to see her family is a rare luxury, usually only possible during mid-semester breaks if finances allow. The emotional toll of separation has been significant, especially as she juggles study with part-time work and personal challenges.
“I have had to face many hardships away from home,” she shared.
“Without CEF’s constant support and encouragement, I don’t know how I would have navigated it all.
“CEF’s support has been life-changing.
“Not just financially, but as a source of encouragement and belief in my potential.
“I will be forever grateful that CEF has helped me to pursue my dream of a university degree. That unwavering support motivates me to complete my degree and give back to my community.”
CEF will once again host its annual Boot Bash, a key fundraising and awareness campaign aimed at "giving education inequity the boot."
This year’s event will take place on Friday, March 14, rallying support to ensure more rural and regional students can access the education and training opportunities they deserve.
CEF Chief Executive Officer Wendy Mason highlighted the organisation’s mission to break down barriers for young rural and regional Australians aged 16 to 25 by providing practical financial assistance and ongoing support.
“CEF is made up of passionate people who believe in the potential of young Australians in rural and regional areas. We provide grants, scholarships, and a variety of resources to help them take the next step in their education or training," Ms Mason said.
“What sets CEF apart is our community-driven approach. While we have a small national team, our strength comes from the network of over 430 volunteers running local foundations across Australia. These dedicated individuals work tirelessly to ensure young people in their regions have the same opportunities as those in major cities."
Ms Mason emphasised that CEF’s support is not limited to those studying at university.
“Our funding can be used for a range of post-school education and training options, including TAFE courses, apprenticeships and traineeships. It’s about ensuring young people have access to the education that best suits their career goals, whether that’s in a classroom, on a worksite, or in a specialist training facility."
Since its establishment in 1993, CEF has awarded more than 8,000 individual grants and scholarships, easing the financial burden for students and their families.
“This work has a ripple effect—not just benefiting the individual but also strengthening their families and the wider community. When young people have access to education and training, they bring skills and knowledge back to the regions, contributing to local economies and industries," Ms Mason said.
“At its core, CEF exists to show rural and regional youth that they are not alone. We want them to know that there is a support network behind them, saying, ‘We’ve got your back.’ That’s what drives us every day," Ms Mason said.
Learn how you can support the Boot Bash campaign to help give education inequity the boot here: www.cefbootbash.org.au
