Forestry Scholarship Fund (FSF)

Forestry Scholarships

Undergraduate Scholarship 
The Undergraduate Scholarship is open to students who have been enrolled and accepted into 1st year undergraduate or transferred from another degree into 2nd to 4th year forestry or forest-related undergraduate full-time study at an institution/course recognised by the Forestry Scholarship Fund.  Undergraduate scholarship recipients are also Student Members of the IFA.

2019 Recipients:
• Jordon Cox, Australian National University
• Kent Olive, University of the Sunshine Coast
• Emily Post, Southern Cross University

National Forestry Master’s Program
The National Forestry Master’s Program is open to students who have enrolled and been accepted into the National Forestry Master’s Program (NFMP). Recipients are also Student Members of the IFA.

2019 Recipients:
• Vana Demetriou, University of Melbourne
• Sarah Loveday, University of Melbourne
• Cleo Riddy, University of Melbourne
• Lydia Sullivan, University of Melbourne

About the Fund

The Forestry Scholarship Fund was established when it became clear that there was a shortage of skilled foresters in Australia, due to declining enrollments in tertiary forestry education and the retirement of foresters employed in the 60’s and 70’s boom. The aim of the fund is to provide a sustainable financial base to support graduate and post-graduate students.

The objects of the Fund are as follows:

  1. to provide for the education of Australian students in Forestry, and Forestry related subjects at Australian Universities and to encourage persons to study Forestry and Forestry related subjects at Australian Universities; and
  2. to provide monies for scholarships to Australian students to assist in their studies of Forestry and Forestry related subjects at an Australian University and provide monies to Australian Universities for the purpose of assisting students in the study of Forestry and Forestry related subjects.

Any student considering studying Forestry, or Forestry related subjects, who is an Australian citizen, or a permanent resident in Australia, within the meaning of the Australian Citizen Act 1948 is eligible to apply to the Trustee for a scholarship.

A scholarship is awarded on merit or for reasons of equity to study Forestry at Australian Universities. The Forestry Scholarship Fund issued the first scholarships in 2010.

The Forestry Scholarship Fund is dependent on donations to continue. Donations from corporate organisations or individuals no matter how big or small are greatly appreciated. The Scholarship Fund has been granted with Deductible Gift Recipient status by the Australian Taxation Office, therefore any donations to the fund of $2 or more are tax deductible.

Forestry education in Australia offers fantastic career opportunities in Australia and overseas and any efforts in promoting and supporting forestry education in Australia is worth it.

Donating to the Scholarship Fund

Individual donations to the Forestry Scholarship Fund can be made either by direct debit to the fund bank account, or by posting a cheque.

Donations of $2 and over are tax deductible.

You can make a donation by visiting the Donate page on this website .

Managing a Fundraising Event

Fundraising can be a fun and rewarding way for groups to contribute to the Forestry Scholarship Fund. Whilst the level of input is directly related to the size of your fundraising event, generally little effort is involved however as an organiser of the event you do have some responsibilities. The following information will assist you not only in raising funds and in meeting government requirements. More information and donation forms can be found on the downloadable FSF fundraising brochure.

Using The Fund Name

The Forestry Scholarship Fund name cannot be used directly as part of your event’s name as this would indicate incorrectly that the event is an official event. For example the correct wording would read ‘100% of the proceeds from this event will go to the Forestry Scholarship Fund’ or ‘Proudly supporting the Forestry Scholarship Fund’.

Money Management

The organiser can deduct any necessary costs incurred from organizing the fundraiser (such as venue hire, catering etc) from the funds raised. Ensure that these expenses are documented on the Fundraiser Results Summary located at the end of this document. (Expenses should be in the name of the organiser not the Forestry Scholarship Fund)

The organiser holds all funds raised on behalf of the Forestry Scholarship Fund and ensures that these are sent to the Forestry Scholarship Fund within a timely manner after the event.

The organiser is able to collect funds in the form of cash, cheques or EFT. Cheques should be made payable to: Trustee for Forestry Scholarship Fund.

If any donors need a receipt for their individual contribution (donations $2 and over are tax-deductable), complete the Donor Receipt Form from the FSF fundraising brochure and send back to the IFA National Office. The IFA will organise and send receipts direct to each donor.

Donations And Tax

The Australian Taxation Office has ruled that donations are not tax-deductible if a person receives goods or services in return for the money given (i.e. the purchase of any services or items, raffle/auction or function entry tickets etc).