Published on Wednesday, 19 December 2018 at 3:27:18 PM
Applications are now open for the 2018 ‘Eric Hind Music Scholarship’. This annual music scholarship is awarded to a young talented music student to the value of $1,000. It is awarded by the Shire of Merredin and named in honour of Mr Eric Hind as recognition and acknowledgement for his contribution to the Shire as a Councillor and his accomplishments as a violinist.
Applicants must be aged 11 – 19 years and be a music student. An applicant must reside in Merredin or alternatively, they may be a boarding school student who has previously being a student at Merredin College or St Mary’s Primary School.
All applications must be received at the Shire of Merredin Administration Centre, cnr King & Bates Streets or via email to ea@merredin.wa.gov.au. The scholarship will be awarded at the 2019 Australia Day Breakfast to be hosted by the CRC.
Eric Hind himself was born in Nottingham in England in 1901. He migrated to Western Australia in 1926 and came immediately to the Wheatbelt. In 1928 he took up farming land at Burracoppin and so commenced a lifetime of interest in the Burracoppin Area.
During the Second World War Eric enlisted in the R.A.A.F and served overseas.
In 1953 he was elected to the then Merredin Road Board and continued to represent the people of Burracoppin on the Merredin Shire Council until his retirement in 1989.
After 36 years of service on the Road Board and Shire Council, the Merredin Shire Council presented Eric with a long service award and made him a Freeman of the Shire. In 1990 he received the Order of Australia for services to the community.
Eric Hind was an accomplished violinist who had gained his A.L.C.M (Eng) diploma before leaving England. As an active member of the Merredin Musical Society and Concert Orchestra of the day, Eric was much sought after as a violinist and was willing to perform at any function if possible. Eric also served on the local WA Symphony Orchestra Committee and was instrumental in getting many concerts in Merredin over a number of years.
In his honour, the Merredin Shire Council offers a music scholarship to the value of $1000.
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