Media Release

Solid Energy West Coast Scholarships Announced

Four West Coast students have been awarded tertiary scholarships, worth up to $8000, by Solid Energy New Zealand. This year's recipients are Felicity Lane from Westport, who will be using her scholarship to study for a Bachelor of Engineering at Canterbury University; Chris Urmson from Hokitika, who will also be studying towards a Bachelor of Engineering at Canterbury University; Shalamar Byrne from Reefton, who is studying Art and Design at the Nelson/Marlborough Institute of Technology; and Sarah Dietrich from Greymouth, who will be attending Otago University and studying for a Bachelor of Science.

The scholarships are four of the six awarded this year to students in Solid Energy's mining communities; the West Coast, Waikato and Southland. The scholarship recipients each receive $2000 per annum for up to four years of study at a recognised tertiary institution.

Applicants were judged on the basis of their academic record, their contribution to the community, both in and outside school, and their leadership qualities.

Solid Energy Chief Operating Officer, Barry Bragg, comments: "Solid Energy has been running a tertiary study scholarship programme on the West Coast since 2000 when we awarded two scholarships. This year we're pleased that we've been able to expand the programme to include Huntly and Southland. Solid Energy is keen to support our local mining communities and we believe that support for education and training initiatives is an area in which we can make a significant contribution. In addition to this programme, we have also this year introduced a Mining Engineering programme, which will offer scholarships to two students."

Application details for the General Tertiary and Mining Engineering Scholarships can be found on the Solid Energy website, www.coalnz.com.

For further information contact: Vicki Blyth Telephone: 03 353 0100 Communications Director Facsimile: 03 353 0116 Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd Mobile: 021 670 250