Western Plains students are encouraged to apply for the OCTEC Limited Glenn Taylor Scholarship, which helps regional students to pursue education after school.

The scholarship is offered to remote students in NSW perusing tertiary education, a Certificate I through to an Advanced Diploma or Degree with TAFE NSW, an RTO similar to OCTEC Training Services, or an Apprenticeship/Traineeship.

Recipients can receive up to $20,000 annually, with up to $80,000 available for each student over the course of their studies.

OCTEC is Australia's largest not-for-profit disability employment service provider, offering dedicated job seeking support, post placement assistance. Chairman Jeff Whitton says the scholarship gives remote students the push to education, claiming “education belongs to everyone".

Last year eight students across the Far West were awarded the Scholarship. People living with disability, First Nations people, those in unstable situations, mature-aged students, and people who have excelled in their studies thus far are encouraged to apply.

Walgett First Nations paramedicine student Nicholas Tedim plans to use his OCTEC scholarship-financed education to aid disadvantaged areas.

“I aim to contribute to healthcare in under-served areas and to be a strong Indigenous leader and mentor for the youth within my home community, encouraging and assisting them in pursuing careers in healthcare despite the challenges and disparities First Nations People face," Mr Tedim says.

 The catchment for eligible students covers the area east of the Blue Mountains to the South Australian and Queensland borders [IMAGE: SOURCED OCTEC LIMITED]

The scholarship commenced in December 2023 in tribute to the late Glenn Taylor, who sat on the OCTEC board and passed away in January 2022 after a battle with cancer.

“This scholarship program honours his commitment to community,” Chairman Jeff Whitton says.

"He was known as a man of the people who, worked towards supporting common sense ideas to service individuals who live in rural and regional communities."

The Chairman says with numerous barriers in place, the scholarship has already changed lives of rural and remote students.

"Scholarships have a ripple effect, the impact goes far beyond individual students," said Mr Whitton.

"Recipients become agents of positive change, capable of breaking any cycles of poverty and create a better future of themselves, their families and their communities.

“The scholarship is about ensuring students from diverse backgrounds who are limited by their circumstances have access to further learning."

Applications are now open, and will close 28 February 2026.