By LIA SPENCER
A WOMAN who lost her father at a young age, suffered ill health and was abused by her partner is one of hundreds who have received an education due to the Caroline Chisholm education foundation.
And soon Casey Council may be lending a helping hand to women and men in similar circumstances.
Casey councillor Rosalie Crestani has asked a representative from the Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation to speak to the council about ways it could contribute and help local people in need to get qualified at Chisholm.
Cr Crestani said she was passionate about education and wanted the council to follow leads from the City of Frankston and City of Greater Dandenong councils which supported the foundation.
“I believe Casey Council is one of the frontiers of the community and we should follow the examples from other councils to show we are want to help those who are struggling to get an education,” Cr Crestani said.
“A lot of women and men may be immigrants who have moved to Australia with little or no education.
“I think it would be fantastic to embrace them and give the way forward.”
CEO of the foundation Kate Hulusi said that since the foundation began in 2007, 550 scholarships have been given to people in need.
The latest rounds of scholarships were given to 54 recipients.
She said the scholarships were given to recipients after their applications goes through a selection committee.
The money is then used for their course or materials.
“These people don’t get the scholarships due to their academic abilities.
“They get it from being from a range of backgrounds,” Ms Hulusi said.
“We have refugees, apprentices, people who are homeless or have mental health disabilities.
“We get lots of applications.”
Ms Hulusi said she hoped that the council would become a donor to provide scholarships to people in Casey to get qualified at Chisholm in Berwick.
“We have a few councils on board and I really hope Casey will be the next one,” she said.
A representative from the Caroline Chisholm education foundation will speak to the council in May.
