This year’s Christchurch City David Close study awards have been presented to Mira Mautner, left, Astrid Clark, and Johathon Jones. Behind them are Christchurch City Mayor Garry Moore, left, and David Close.

Mr Close was a City Councillor for 23 years and the Council set up the awards last year to recognise his example of public service and encourage young people to emulate him. The awards are open to any young resident who has gained entry to Canterbury or Lincoln universities or the Christchurch Polytech Institute of Technology. The awards pay for study for up to four years in a subject which is relevant to a career in local government and, wherever possible, the Council will offer the students holiday work and a job at the Council when their studies are finished.

Ms Mautner is studying information technology at CPIT, Ms Clark is at Lincoln studying management and Mr Jones is doing political science at Canterbury.

• For more information about the awards contact the Scholarships Officer at any of the institutions involved.