Port Stephens Mayoral Academic Scholarship Recipient – Callan Astin Port POPUP - DAupdate Port Stephens Port Stephens News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - May 11, 2023 Mayor Ryan Palmer with Callan Astin and Mikhaila Halford, Capability Development Manager at Ampontrol. Photo: Marian Sampson. THIS week News Of The Area continues to profile some of the talented young people who were awarded Port Stephens Mayoral Academic Scholarships for 2023. Callan Astin will be studying a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours) and a Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering (Honours) at Newcastle University. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au Callan graduated from Irrawang High School last year, taking out several academic awards. Callan’s degree choices tie into his interests in the electric vehicle market and the global journey towards emissions reduction. Having received his $2000 scholarship, Callan told News Of The Area, “I am going to save the scholarship as a bit of a nest egg as I don’t know what expenses are going to come up through my studies.” Callan’s scholarship was funded by Tomago based Ampcontrol, Australia’s largest privately owned electrical engineering company leading advanced global manufacturing of award winning innovations, products, solutions and services to the resources infrastructure and energy sectors. One of the key benefits of the scholarship program for the recipients is an ongoing connection with their sponsor business, which will hopefully assist them in gaining a career here in Port Stephens at the completion of their studies. The program is now in its fourteenth year and all scholarships are funded by businesses who are active in the Port Stephens region. Mayor Ryan Palmer told News Of The Area, “I would hope that one day that these people who are in this room are the mentors and the sponsors of the new generation that is coming through in 15 to 20 years time. “I have been able to see in the past five to six years the benefits of the program and being able to connect with the sponsors and use this small amount of money to help them through university, keep them in university and come out the other side with jobs and experiences which will help them in the future,” he said. By Marian SAMPSON
