Variety, the children’s charity, has honoured its founding patron the late Brian Naylor and his wife Moiree by announcing a new scholarship in their name.

The Brian and Moiree Naylor Scholarship, which provides funding of up to $30,000 annually, will be awarded for the next four years to students from the five secondary schools affected by Victoria’s Black Saturday bushfires. The funds are to be used to further recipients’ education and tertiary studies.

Announced at the recent Heart of Variety Ball, Variety Victoria CEO Norm Hutton said the new scholarship was part of the charity organisation’s on-going support for children and families in bushfire-affected areas.

“Nearly six months on from Black Saturday, many families still face daily battles in coming to terms with their losses,” Mr Hutton said.

“Further to the Sunshine Coaches and other equipment, including rebuilding school playgrounds, Variety has donated to assist in the long road to recovery, it’s a great honour for us to name this new scholarship in memory of both Brian and Moiree who tragically perished in the fires.

“Variety would particularly like to thank Brian and Moiree’s son Clinton Naylor, daughters Jane Bayliss and Trudee Lapthorne, daughter-in-law Diane Naylor and son-in-law Steve Lapthorne for their support in helping us establish this scholarship.”

Further information: Variety, the children’s charity – (03) 8698 3900 or visit: www.varietyvic.org.au

(27 July 2009)