Construction boss Keith Winstanley has contributed to a memorial scholarship named for the inspirational woman who helped him overcome hardship and launch a fresh career...

And Keith is also encouraging others to help grow the perpetual fund for the Jenny Simpson Memorial Scholarship, which will support the progression of students from the STEPS preparatory program into Bachelor degrees.

Keith Winstanley encourages support for the scholarship

LINK HERE for details of the Jenny Simpson Memorial Scholarship

Jenny Simpson passed away in 2008 and is remembered for her 50 years as an inspirational educator, including 15 years as a teacher with the STEPS program at CQUniversity.

Keith, who is Managing Director of Make Way Constructions in Townsville, visited Rockhampton to address October's STEPS completion ceremony and to help promote the scholarship.

He explained that he "first started with STEPS in 1993, the same year as Jenny came on board as a teacher, and we started on the same journey together, both unsure where we were heading and what we were getting into".

"I found Jenny to be a wonderful person and good motivator with a lot of energy, who managed to keep you going," Keith said.

The scholarship is named for inspirational teacher Jenny Simpson

"All the way through the program you felt you had to please Jenny and everything you did was to get a pat on the back to say you've done very well."

Like many STEPS students, Keith understands what it's like to overcome hardship.

"I had spinal surgey the year before I started STEPS and I had to teach myself how to walk again. I was a tradesman who knew nothing else, with four children and a wife to support," he said.

"I found being a full-time student very hard and struggled financially, growing small crops and getting up at 3 or 4 in the morning to pick and pack and get a bit of cash to pay my way through Uni."

Keith says his own experience shows that a scholarship can give students a little bit of financial freedom.

"Even though it's not a massive amount every little bit helps for somebody who is coming out of an environment into something totally new where they are not getting an income. I encourage others to help grow the fund to help them through that first little bit of financial pain."

Cutting the cake at the Rockhampton STEPS completion ceremony are Robyn Pointing and Adam Bale

Keith reflected on the fact that his house burned down during his STEPS program but he still managed to hand in an assignment on the day after the fire.

"Jenny used my story to motivate other STEPS students!"

STEPS staff members gathered to mark the completion ceremony