Matthew Ely, a jeweller at Sydney’s York Jewellers, has won a scholarship to work and train in London for 12 months.
Matthew was one of six young vocationally trained Australians awarded a scholarship by the Australian Overseas Foundation in 2008.
The AOF scholarship is designed to give young Australians the opportunity to “partake in overseas travel; meet people in a foreign country and learn about their customs and lifestyle; and extend their technical expertise via appropriate on the job work experience”.
Matthew said he is looking forward to expanding his skills and knowledge during his year in London.
“I am planning to do a lot of courses while I am there including some on engraving and diamond grading,” he said.
Matthew is planning to fly to London in April.
The Australian Overseas Foundation scholarship is not Matthew’s first jewellery award. Matthew won the NSW regional finals of Worldskills Australia in 2006 and then went on to come third in the national competition.
In 2007 he won the Showcase Jewellers Award for creative design and was runner-up in the practical design award.
