Two ambitious Central West students are one step closer to their dreams thanks to a scholarship backed by one of Australia’s top cleaning and hygiene companies.
Claudia Wilson from Orange and Abby Wilson from Dubbo have been named recipients of the 2025 Royal Agricultural Society Foundation’s (RASF) Rural Scholarships, supported by Quayclean Australia. The scholarships recognise future changemakers who are committed to making a lasting contribution to regional New South Wales.
Fuel for the future
Claudia, now in her fifth year of a double veterinary degree at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, grew up on a cattle farm south of Orange. Her childhood was filled with working dogs, horses and livestock, which sparked a fierce love for animals and country life. After graduation, she plans to return to the regions as a mixed-practice vet, helping both large and small animals while deepening her connection to the rural communities that shaped her.
Meanwhile, Abby is pursuing a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie. A keen sportswoman with a background in swimming, running and Tag Rugby League, Abby hopes to use her physio training to keep rural Australians active, healthy and moving well into the future.
For Quayclean, the partnership goes beyond funding. They view it as investing in the lifeblood of regional Australia.
“Through our work at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, we’ve seen how vital regional communities are to the fabric of NSW and the nation,” Quayclean chief executive Mark Piwkowski says. “We’re proud to support these talented young women on their journey.”
Quayclean has been a key service provider at the Sydney Showground for years, delivering event cleaning, hygiene and waste management across major events including the Easter Show. Their partnership with the RAS Foundation began in 2021 as part of a broader commitment to regional resilience.
The RASF Rural Scholarships program supports students from country areas undertaking full-time or part-time study at TAFE or university. The funds help ease the pressure of study costs, covering textbooks, accommodation and materials, so students can focus on building their futures.
“This program is about nurturing people who care deeply about rural NSW,” RASF manager Cecilia Logan says. “Claudia and Abby are shining examples of that commitment.”
More details at rasf.org.au.
