In Memory Scholarship
Hannah Kinross
In August 2009 Australia and Papua New Guinea witnessed the tragic Airlines PNG plane disaster that resulted in the deaths of 13 people on board. The passengers on board the fatal flight included 9 Australian trekkers who were on route to Kokoda village to begin their journey across the infamous Kokoda Track.
Hannah Kinross, from Victoria Australia, was one of the trekkers who tragically died in the plane crash. In memory of Hannah, the Foundation is honoured to announce the Hannah Kinross Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel Scholarship Fund.
Hannah was an adventurous young woman, aged just 22, who was going to walk the Kokoda Track with her close friend Kelly Weire.
Hannah was deeply passionate about helping and giving to others and she had been working for 3 years with refugees and migrants, particularly Burmese and Sudanese refugees in Victoria. Hannah had also undertaken volunteer work in South Africa before being employed by the Migrant Information Centre in Box Hill. Hannah’s parents, Colin and Sue Kinross, describe Hannah as “completely dedicated to improving lives of people less fortunate than us”.
“Only a few days before flying to PNG Hannah had been offered a posting as a refugee youth worker in some local schools and was so thrilled, believing she had found her true vocation. It is for this reason we believe she would have wanted us to contribute some of her estate to such a worthy cause. May something worthy arise from our loss.”
In memory of Hannah and her desire to help others, Colin and Sue have established a special scholarship via the Foundation to help children from the Kokoda Track with a particular focus on improving the welfare and livelihoods of young Kokoda Track women. They have also contributed generously towards the Kingsley Eroro Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel Scholarship, which was established in memory of Kingsley Eroro who came from Kokoda village and who also tragically died on the plane crash. The Kingseley Eroro Scholarship has been awarded to Michael Kenda from Kokoda village and Hannah’s contribution to the scholarship will cover his education from now until he graduates from high school.
In addition, five students have received the Hannah Kinross Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel Scholarships over the past two years:
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Saeve has just completed her high school studies and is from Kagi village along the Kokoda Track. She is an orphan and cannot afford to get an education without the assistance of the scholarship. Hannah’s scholarship supported Saeve throughout her Grade 11 and 12 studies and it possible for Saeve to complete her education. Saeve is an exceptional student and was recently awarded another special scholarship from the Foundation - the Bisset Medal - which will support her throughout her university studies. Saeve is beginning her degree in Nursing in 2012.
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Delma completed her Grade 10 studies in 2010 with the support of the Hannah Kinross Scholarship. Delma is from Efogi village along the Kokoda Track. Delma's mother is a single Mum and struggles to support her children at school. Delma had a break from her studies in 2011 but is planning to return to school in 2012 and will again be supported via Hannah's scholarship.
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Gefi completed her Grade 8 schooling in 2011 with the support of the Hannah Kinross scholarship. Gefi is from Botue village in the Kokoda region and both her parents are subsistence farmers. Gefi loves school and is very grateful to the Kinross family for her scholarship.
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Karen has also just completed her Grade 8 schooling at Kokoda Primary School and is an exceptional student. Karen is from Iora village in the Kokoda region and wants to become a pilot when she graduates from school.
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Thomas has completed his grade 8 studies this year at Kokoda Primary School and is looking forward to high school next year. Thomas is form Dumu village in the Kokoda region and his Dad is a single father and struggles to pay his school fees.
Also this year, the Hannah Kinross Scholarship supported the salary payments of a teacher at Kokoda Elementary School. The Kinross' generosity has allowed this teacher to work and receive a small wage every fortnight to ensure that he can remain committed to teaching and that the school remains open.
Colin and Sue have visited the crash site and have also met a number of the children that have been awarded the Hannah Kinross Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel Scholarships. We are so very grateful to Hannah and the Kinross family for their generosity to the children of PNG. Your contribution is making an emormous difference in the lives of Michael, Saeve, Delma, Gefi, Karen and Thomas.
Please contact the Foundation’s executive director, Gen Nelson, on 0412 869 210 if you are interested in making a donation to this particular scholarship.