Young Australians will be given help to achieve their education, community and sporting goals, through the creation of new scholarships in honour of Jim Stynes.
Jim Stynes was a man who inspired AFL fans across the nation. But off the football field, Jim was also a man who fought for a better life for thousands of Australian kids.
Today we honour that legacy, with the creation of the Jim Stynes Achievement Scholarships.
In partnership with the AFL, these scholarships will help young Australians to realise their potential.
Jim courageously held up his number 37 guernsey at the start of his battle with cancer. Today, we're holding up 37 scholarships a year for young kids who come from indigenous or multicultural backgrounds, or suffer from disadvantage and need a leg up in life.
These scholarships will build on the remarkable work that is done at Reach, by helping each recipient achieve their education, community or sporting goals.
We want to see kids reach for their dreams.
The Gillard Government will provide $3 million to establish the Jim Stynes Achievement Scholarships. As a partner in the program, the AFL will provide an annual contribution of $150,000 a year for the next five years. The scholarships will be administered by Reach and the AFL in partnership with the Government.
Through these scholarships, Jim will continue to inspire some of our most disadvantaged children to gain confidence and find their place in the world.