June 6, 2019
Congratulations to Aimee Williamson and Halle Brown, who were among 20 successful applicants for this year’s round of Mineworkers Trust scholarships.
Aimee Williamson grew up in the mining town of Tieri in the Bowen Basin before moving to Yeppoon on the coast. Glencore’s brutal lockout of coal miners at Oaky North in 2017 and 2018 gave her a unique insight into the importance of fair employment law.
Aimee’s dad Shane Williamson is active in CFMEU’s Oaky Creek No 1 Lodge and many family and friends were involved in the lockout.
She has recently finished her first semester of an international relations/ law double degree at Bond University, which has been “everything I hoped for.”
The $6250 scholarship has covered many of the costs involved in starting uni including text books and professional clothes required for the networking and practical elements of her law degree.
When she graduates, Aimee is hoping to get her practising certificate and go into an area of law that helps people, like employment law.
“The Oaky North lockout put into perspective how serious it can get and how much we need to have the ability through unions and law reforms for people to be able have a voice.”
A long interest in law and commitment to social justice
Halle has hit the ground running in her five-year double degree in social science and law at the University of Newcastle, earning distinctions and high distinctions in a ‘busy, exciting and challenging’ first semester.
Halle has had a long interest in law and commitment to social justice. She hopes to work as a criminal lawyer one day, protecting people and their rights.
The $6250 scholarship has allowed her to buy text books and cover travel costs between home in Denman in the Upper Hunter and Newcastle.
“The scholarship has allowed me to focus on my studies without the stress of a financial burden on myself and my family.
“I now have the have the financial stability to relocate to Newcastle on a permanent basis.”
Halle’s proud dad Dave Brown is a CFMEU member at BHP’s Mount Arthur coal mine.
Mineworkers Trust scholarships are awarded each year to CFMEU Mining and Energy members, family members and dependents who are undertaking study diploma level or higher at TAFE or university. They are assessed independently.
Congratulations to all the successful 2019 scholarship applicants – applications for 2020 will be open towards the end of this year.
THIS YEAR’S WINNERS
