Tue, 30/04/2013

Last month Mary attended the Podmore Foundation Inc. Scholarship Presentation at the Royal Golf Club, where several young indigenous students from remote parts of Australia received scholarships to help them study in Canberra.

The Podmore Foundation Inc. is a non-for-profit organisation that involves a diverse group of Australians who want to create educational opportunities for others.

The organisation raises funds and mentors specially-selected Indigenous boys and girls from rural and remote communities and towns, who have received scholarships on merit to some of Australia’s finest independent boarding schools.

Mary and her husband Ian have been involved with Podmore over several years and have donated privately to assist several students to live and study in Canberra. One of the young students who benefited from the scholarships this year is Miss Sarah-Cait Kirkland who will be studying at the Canberra Girls Grammar (CGGS).

“My husband and I are delighted at the opportunity of assisting Miss Kirkland achieve her dreams,” Mary said. “As many of you know, I have five children, ten grand children and one great grandchild; I believe that one of the greatest gifts you can give a child is a good education.”

This individual scholarship is named after Mary’s deceased parents, Mr and Mrs Pannell, who gave Mary the opportunity of emigrating from England to Australia as a child.

“It was a pleasure catching up with Miss Kirkland at the presentation ceremony, and discussing with her the progress she was making in her studies,” Mary remarked. “Ian and I wish her all the best for the future,” she concluded.