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Dateline - December 3, 2006
 Chief of Defence Force congratulates defence scholarship winners
 

Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston today announced the eight winners of the joint Defence/AFS overseas scholarships for 2007. Air Chief Marshal Houston said that each year Defence, in partnership with AFS Intercultural Programs Australia, awards study and travel scholarships to children of Australian Defence Force members and Defence employees. “I am honoured to present Defence-funded AFS scholarships to eight fine young Australians who are about to embark on a year of personal growth and experience in a foreign country,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said. “I extend my congratulations to them on being awarded their scholarships and look forward to hearing of their academic, linguistic and social adventures.”

Air Chief Marshal Houston congratulated the 2007 Defence/AFS scholarship winners:

* Tamara Hall from a Navy family living in Caringbah NSW, who will travel to Switzerland
* Shaun Campbell from a Navy family living in Yarralumla ACT, who will travel to Argentina
* Kelsey Hamsey from an Army family living in Gaythorne QLD, who will travel to China
* Thomas Murphy from an Army family living in Lyneham ACT, who will travel to Japan
* Lauren Hawke-Enciso from an Air Force family living in Katherine NT, who will travel to Denmark
* Christopher Kettle from an Air Force family living in Rivett ACT, who will travel to Thailand
* Raechel Kercher from a Defence civilian family living in Dunlop ACT, who will travel to Italy
* Jonathon Anderson from a Defence civilian family living in Yarralumla ACT, who will travel to Slovakia
“Each scholarship winner has been through a rigorous selection process and they should be immensely proud of their outstanding personal achievements,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said. “They should also be recognised as great ambassadors for their families and schools and I am pleased that Defence is able to offer them the opportunity to travel and study overseas.”

The joint Defence - AFS scholarship program was established in 2000 and is available to high school students in years 9 to 12 who are children of ADF members and Defence employees. Since then, Defence and AFS Australia have forged a strong partnership, working together to assist students meet the challenges of living in another country while ensuring they have worthwhile personal development and academic experiences. The scholarships are sponsored by the Defence Community Organisation as part of its suite of family support initiatives.