Community group funds music scholarships for Bellarine youth

A NEW scholarship program is calling for nominations from the community for two young people who would benefit from some financial assistance to advance their musical exploits.

Community group, Shedding the Blues, will provide two individuals under the age of 18, living on the Bellarine Peninsula, with a $500 scholarship to assist their participation in music classes.

One scholarship will be provided to an individual for vocal tuition and the other, instrumental tuition.

The scholarships aim to fund their education for six months.

Shedding the Blues’ Des Gorman said the group wanted to “contribute back to the community” and provide intergenerational support.

“Every young person is good at something and…what we have to do with our young people is find their talent and then nurture that,” he said.

“That’s what we’re doing with those who are really focusing on their music journey or would love to if they had the opportunity.”

The music scholarship program was officially launched by the group last Friday (March 15) at The Royal Queenscliff hotel and applications will remain open until June 1.

Shedding the Blues is a wellbeing initiative that, on a weekly basis, brings together mature-aged community members who share a love of music.

Its members have formed eight different bands, spanning a wide variety of genres, which perform regularly at community venues and events.

Mr Gorman said the money raised through donations at these performances will be used to fund the scholarships, an opportunity for young musicians the group hopes will become an annual offering.

“We know the benefits of being engaged in music and we know that young people may not have capacity in their family to seek that tuition because it can be quite expensive and there can be some travel arrangements,” he said.

“So, we’re [seeking to help] someone with a little bit of talent who just needs that kickstart on their music journey, both for their mental and physical wellbeing.

“We hope to then keep a relationship with the successful applicants over their journey in the first six months and then hopefully extend that, if that’s required.”

For more information, or to nominate yourself or a young person in the community for a scholarship, head to sheddingtheblues.weebly.com