New scholarship announced in honour of Ara staff member

_{Pictured (L-R): Ara staff Michael Shone, Jan Connelly and Darren Mitchell alongside Kathryn’s husband Rodney, brother Russell Drake, and sister-in-law Jill Drake}

A close-knit gathering has been held at Ara Institute of Canterbury to announce the establishment of a scholarship in memory of a loved former colleague Kathryn Fraser.

Fraser, who had a long association with Ara in a variety of roles, died in an accident on her way to work almost a year ago.

Ara Business Division lead Darren Mitchell remembered Kathryn as someone who touched many people’s lives, had many connections throughout the Ara community and assisted both colleagues and learners with the work that she did.

“As you may know, one of Kathryn’s key responsibilities at Ara was to coordinate scholarships. She also believed strongly in community service and philanthropy, organising Ara’s annual Christmas gift collections for the City Mission and Pink Ribbon breakfasts for breast cancer awareness,” Mitchell said. “Kathryn once said she thoroughly enjoyed reading the inspiring personal statements of scholarship applicants, and that the best part of her job was giving away money that wasn’t hers!”

Along with former colleagues, Kathryn’s husband, brother and sister-in-law attended the small ceremony to mark the scholarship launch.

_{Darren Mitchell speaking at the event at the Visions function space at Ara.}

Rodney Fraser, who had Kathryn’s ashes with him for the emotional occasion, said he felt a little in awe of the way in which Ara had sought to mark his wife’s contribution to the organisation.

“Kathryn used to come home with all sorts of stories about what she’d done most days, but it was only recently that I realised just how much of an impact she had within Ara.

It is a bit overwhelming that this was even considered an option to remember her by. She’s gone but never forgotten, and it seems fitting in a way that she’s still dishing out other people's money,” he said with a smile.

Commencing next year, the Kathryn Fraser scholarship will seek to promote equity in education and help eliminate barriers to accessing tertiary study. $10,000 will be awarded annually for three years, with a maximum of $2500 per learner. The scholarship will be open to all domestic and international learners studying full-time or part-time in a Level 3 or above programme at Ara.

Applicants will need to provide a one-page personal statement outlining what led them to study in their chosen field, the impact of equity challenges they face and where they see themselves upon successful completion of their studies.

They’ll also need to provide two referees to be considered by an Ara appointed panel and will only be able to be awarded the scholarship once during their study. Ara has promised to ensure Kathryn’s family regularly receive updates about the successful applicants and their progress.

“We’re immensely proud to have had a role in creating this fund in memory of Kathryn. She was always willing to go the extra mile, and always supported ākonga with kindness and expertise and we believe this scholarship would have made Kathryn proud too,” Mitchell said.