NSW Central West students win Quayclean’s RAS Foundation scholarships

The Royal Agricultural Society Foundation, together with Quayclean Australia, have announced Claudia Wilson from Orange and Abby Wilson from Dubbo as two recipients of the RAS Foundation’s 2025 Rural Scholarship program.

Supporting regional and rural students from a diverse range of tertiary study and training pursuits, the scholarships assist students who are studying at a recognised University or TAFE and who have a desire to give back to regional NSW.

Quayclean has been a supporter of the RAS Foundation’s scholarship program since 2021 and is delighted to be assisting Claudia and Abby with costs associated with their full-time studies.

The scholarship forms part of Quayclean’s long-term partnership with the Sydney Showground where the company provides day-to-day event cleaning, waste management and recycling services including the annual Royal Easter Show.

Claudia Wilson grew up on a beef cattle property south of Orange and was surrounded by a range of animals. This sparked a passion for working with animals in a rural area and a desire to become a veterinarian.

After completing high school in Orange, she moved to Wagga Wagga to begin her studies at Charles Sturt University. Claudia will be completing her fifth year of Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science.

Once she graduates, she plans to work as a veterinarian in a mixed business in a rural town where she will be able to broaden her knowledge and skills in both large and small animal practices.

Abby Wilson is a second-year student studying a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie.

She is active in her own sports pursuits and participates in Tag Rugby League, swimming, running and walking.

RAS Foundation Manager, Cecilia Logan, said the RASF Rural Scholarships provide financial assistance for students who demonstrate a passion for rural issues and opportunities and who are committed to contributing to the future of rural and regional NSW.

Logan stated “the Scholarship program aims to build strong, vibrant, and resilient regional and rural communities and enhance skills availability by helping to enable post high school education and training for rural NSW students.

“Scholarship recipients may be of any age undertaking full time, part-time or external tertiary study or training.

“The scholarships are designed to assist with expenses associated with accommodation, textbooks and other materials and allow them to focus on their studies,” added Mrs Logan.

Congratulating the pair on their scholarships, Quayclean Chief Executive, Mark Piwkowski stated “through the outstanding work of our teams at the annual Sydney Royal Easter Show, we have witnessed first-hand the wonderful contribution regional men and women make to NSW and Australia.

“We are honoured to continue as a RAS Foundation partner to assist Claudia and Abby with their tertiary education studies and allow them to give back and help shape regional and rural NSW communities.”

Click here for more information on the RAS Foundation. 

Image shows Claudia Wilson (left) and Abby Wilson.