Apply now for the Trevor Drayton Scholarship

To apply for the Trevor Drayton Scholarship, you must:

• meet one of the following criteria in the Hunter or Central Coast regions:
  • be enrolled in a TAFE NSW culinary, hospitality, or winemaking course
  • have graduated from a culinary, hospitality, or winemaking qualification in the last five years
  • have worked in the culinary, hospitality, or winemaking industry for less than five years
• demonstrate commitment to a career in culinary arts, hospitality, or winemaking (for example, by listing achievements, an action plan, or key skills)
• outline how you would use the scholarship funds to advance your career
• provide evidence of your commitment to achieving your career goals (for example, through grades, attendance records, or character references)
• have the willingness and ability to act as an ambassador for the industry and the Trevor Drayton Scholarship

Note: Current TAFE NSW students and recent TAFE NSW graduates will receive special consideration.

The Drayton family planted their first vines in the Hunter Valley in 1853 to become one of Australia’s pioneering wine families. Trevor Drayton, born in 1955, became a fifth generation winemaker who carried on the tradition with distinction, to become widely recognised as an industry icon.

Unfortunately, Trevor’s brilliant career was tragically cut short in 2008, when he lost his life in an industrial accident during harvest.

One year later, a group of friends and associates decided that Trevor’s memory should be honoured by the industry to which he had contributed so much. They established a scholarship programme to assist the next generation of people aspiring to forge a career in the wine and hospitality industry. These scholarships would be tailored to each student’s individual needs, and would aim to help them further their career, to one day achieve the same level of excellence as Trevor.

The Trevor Drayton Scholarship committee held its first fundraising luncheon on the 1st anniversary of Trevor’s death, with the first scholarship being awarded the following year as part of what has now become an important annual fundraising event, attended by members of the industry.

TAFE NSW offers a range of support services for students, including free and confidential counselling.

We understand that sharing your personal or financial circumstances can be emotionally challenging, so please do not hesitate to reach out if you need support.

To arrange an appointment with a counsellor, call 131 601 and select Option 5, then Option 2.

You can also use this number to access Disability Services or request a referral to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student support.

For more information on the resources available to you, visit the Student Services homepage.

Every year, TAFE NSW awards hundreds of scholarships and study grants.

To find the one that is right for you, visit the TAFE NSW Scholarships homepage.