Four decades of bursary support celebrated
Published on 05 March, 2010
The Central Highlands branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association are a dedicated bunch, clocking up 40 years of support for our regional students with an academic bursary.
Our Emerald Campus recently hosted a morning tea to celebrate and mark the 40th anniversary of the QCWA Central Highlands Bursary, which provides $500 to a CQUniversity student from the local area who best demonstrates their aspirations, financial need and diligence.
QCWA Central Highlands President Val Beak said her organisation understood the important role higher education played in regional and community development.
"We are proud to support CQUniversity students on their educational journey. It is important for us to assist and provide opportunities for Central Highland region students, who may otherwise not have the opportunity to realise their full potential," she said.
The 2010 winner is Anita Stockwell, a Bachelor of Learning Management student from Blackwater.
CQUniversity's Pro Vice-Chancellor (Community and Engagement) Dr Pierre Viljoen said the University applauded QCWA Central Highlands for providing the annual bursary.
"We are proud to acknowledge and celebrate our partnership with such a prominent, long-standing organisation who have generously supported our students for the past 40 years. This type of commitment empowers our students to 'be what they want to be'," he said.
The University recognises that scholarships and prizes are a significant means for individuals and organisations to partner with their campus, to make a difference to a student and the community they will eventually work in.
More broadly, donor relationships are very important because they help increase participation rates, improve facilities, reward and recognise our most deserving students and assist regional development by reducing skills shortages and encouraging our local talent to remain local throughout their career.
A past winner of the QCWA bursary from 2001, Jonathan Ladewig said the funds were very valuable and the majority was spent on textbooks.
"Between university studies and boarding master duties at Rockhampton Grammar School, I did not have time for further employment without reducing my commitment to my studies," he said.
Mr Ladewig has since graduated from his bachelor degree, has completed an honours degree and is working at Dass Accounting and Business Consulting, which services clients from Rockhampton, Gladstone, Emerald and all surrounding rural areas. He says he plans to continue his career in Central Queensland and has recently become a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Meanwhile, the 2008 bursary winner, Lachlan Hawley said his $500 went towards a range of science textbooks which helped him achieve 3 Passes in first term and 3 Credits and 1 Pass in Second term, "which has helped me to continue my Uni study through into this year".
"All this I put down to the bursary presentation morning tea with some wonderful ladies," he said. "I don't know what surprised me more, the tea and biscuits or the cheque."
If you are interested in establishing a prize or scholarship with CQUniversity please contact Melissa Misztal on 4923 2786 or m.misztal@cqu.edu.au
CQUniversity Emerald Campus Community Advisory Committee Member Tony Robinson enjoys a chat with Director of Development and Graduate Relations Suzi Blair 
QCWA Central Highlands President Val Beak is presented with a plaque commemorating the occasion by CQUniversity's Pro Vice-Chancellor Community and Engagement Pierre Viljoen