Parents without Partners scholarship encouragement awards presented

11/12/94

Parents without partners faced bigger challenges than most parents and deserved the respect and encouragement of other people, Community Development and Family Minister Roger Nicholls said today.

Mr Nicholls was presenting 20 Scholarship Encouragement Awards at a midday function in King's Park organised by Parents without Partners, a self-help group of sole parents of which Mr Nicholls is patron.

The scholarships are presented annually to secondary students in recognition of their efforts and as encouragement to continue with their education.

Mr Nicholls said the major criterion for selecting the winners was effort rather than excellence, because the purpose was to encourage all students to make the best of their abilities.

The winners were chosen by teachers from outside the organisation who devoted considerable time to assessing the claims of the many applicants.

Funds for the scholarships were raised by Parents without Partners.

Mr Nicholls said the organisation had developed an outstanding reputation for the way it helped sole parents and their children through a range of educational, social, and support activities.

"Sole parents and their children face special challenges, but with a positive and mutually supportive attitude they are able to overcome their difficulties," the Minister said.

"They deserve the respect and admiration of those of us who know that parenting can be a challenge even when we have a partner to help."

Media contact:  Hugh Ryan 221 5377