15 Cessnock students receive Mayoral Scholarships

Published on 19 May 2025

Mayoral Scholarships 2025.jpg

Cessnock City Mayor Daniel Watton, Clr Tracey Harrington, Clr Sarah Pascoe, and Clr Quinton King with Mayoral Scholarship recipients and local sponsors.

Cessnock City Council has proudly announced the recipients of its 2025 Mayoral Scholarships during an official presentation held last week at Performance Arts Culture Cessnock (PACC).

Now in its 23rd year, the Mayoral Scholarship Program has awarded 277 local students across the Cessnock Local Government Area with a combined total of $693,000 since it began in 2002. This year, thanks to the generous support of local sponsors, Council awarded 15 scholarships, each valued at $2,500.

Cessnock City Council Mayor Dan Watton said the program continues to provide critical support to students pursuing higher education and vocational training.

"We’re incredibly proud to continue this tradition of investing in our community’s future," said Clr Watton.

"These scholarships not only ease the financial burden of study, but also help nurture the local talent that will one day lead and strengthen our region."

"On behalf of Council, I’d like to congratulation each of the recipients and extend our gratitude to the sponsors who make this program possible year after year."

Each scholarship provides students with direct financial assistance to help cover costs such as tuition, textbooks, and essential study resources.

The 2025 scholarship recipients are:

  • Chloe Newman, sponsored by Austar Coal Mine
  • Miriam Palazzi, sponsored by Belford Land Corporation
  • Taylee Short, sponsored by Cessnock Leagues Club
  • Alex Newman, sponsored by Daracon Group
  • Lilly Stace, sponsored by Fulton Hogan
  • Daisy Nugent, sponsored by KFC Cessnock
  • Darien Checkley, sponsored by Kurri Kurri Community Services Study Hub
  • Damian Rocks, sponsored by Lisa McGuigan Wines
  • Rachael Palazzi, sponsored by Railway Hotel Cessnock
  • Charlyn MacDonald, sponsored by Recycle Central
  • Tahlia Draper, sponsored by Retired Mineworkers Association Northern Zone
  • Laura Bullen, sponsored by The Bloomfield Group
  • Carly Green, sponsored by Cessnock City Council
  • Ebony Cheal, sponsored Cessnock Rotary Club
  • Cassandra Smith, sponsored by Hunter Resource Recovery

Council extends sincere thanks to all sponsors for their commitment to education and community development, and a huge congratulations to all of this year's recipients of the 2025 Mayoral Scholarship Program.

Tagged as:
Back to top