Living in the country has its advantages; open spaces to roam, neighbours you can’t hear, the sound of the cicadas buzzing in the late afternoon but it can sometimes mean you don’t have access to many of the benefits your city cousins do. The children’s charity Variety provides a range of grants and scholarships to help young people reach their potential and Charlie Priest from Murwillumbah has been lucky enough to receive one.
A dream to perform as a classical solo flautist with both national and international symphony orchestras, along with performing as a pianist with a world class ensemble see Charlie travels 280km each week for piano lessons as part of the intermediate piano program at the Brisbane Conservatorium.
‘Charlie wouldn’t be able to grasp the opportunities she has been given without the Variety Scholarship,’ said Charlie’s Mum, Sharon Priest.
‘She wouldn’t have been able to accept her position at the Brisbane Conservatorium and get that next level of tuition that she needs.’
Variety scholarships are provided to children who already have a special talent or passion in sport, art, music or education. ‘These kids are all facing a challenge in life, whether this is disadvantage, special needs or they are sick. This year we will awarding 47 scholarships to kids from all over NSW,’ said Alison Buckland from Variety NSW.
Gaining a scholarship was no fluke for Murwillumbah flaunist Charlie Priest. They say if you have a talent then flaunt it and Charlie took up her flute and played like an angel. The music flowed as she blew with her lips and her fingers danced along the lenght of the instrument and what was heard was intrumental in her gaining a Varity scholarship.