An Ipswich woman studying at The University of Queensland will begin a new tradition in 2006 by becoming the first Heather Bonner Memorial Scholar.
The University of Queensland Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alan Rix, and the State Member for Ipswich, Rachel Nolan, launched the Heather Bonner Memorial Scholarship at the Ipswich Campus of The University of Queensland today.
“The Ipswich Women`s Development Fund, the brain child of Ms Nolan and the Ipswich Region Chamber of Commerce, worked wonders by raising the funds for this annual scholarship,” Professor Rix said.
“The $5000 annual scholarship is one of the richest scholarships for students at the Ipswich Campus of UQ.
“The first woman to receive the scholarship will establish a proud tradition that immortalises a wonderful woman, the late Mrs Bonner.
“Mrs Bonner passed away in Ipswich on 21 October last year.
“She is most widely remembered as the wife of Senator Neville Bonner, the first Aboriginal to be elected to Federal Parliament, but she was even more than the woman behind a great man,” Professor Rix said.
Ms Nolan, a University of Queensland graduate and member of the UQ senate, said: "Heather Bonner’s passing was a great loss to Ipswich.
“Heather was a great unifier of people and the scholarship launch continues that tradition.
“The scholarship was only possible because of the enthusiastic cooperation of the Ipswich Women’s Development Fund – a group comprising Ipswich Region Chamber of Commerce, Quota, Zonta and the Australian Institute of Office Professionals as well as Councillor Cheryl Bromage and me.
“Through this scholarship she will continue to be an inspiration, and her name will always be associated with a passionate belief that individuals can change the world for the better.
“This scholarship will help maintain Mrs Bonner’s intelligent, compassionate spirit in the Ipswich community,” Ms Nolan said.
Born in Ipswich in 1923 and educated at Silkstone State School and Ipswich Girls Grammar, Mrs Bonner achieved a great deal – sometimes in the face of adversity.
Civil rights was one of her passions, and she was active in the One People of Australia League (OPAL) which was instrumental in achieving the vote for Indigenous Australians.
The first Heather Bonner Memorial Scholar will be awarded in April 2006. It will go to a different student each year.
Applicants must be women studying full or part-time at the Ipswich Campus and residents of the Ipswich region. Other selection criteria are available on www.uq.edu.au/ipswich
Media: For more information contact Sue McGee at UQ Ipswich on 3381 1068 or Fiona Kennedy at UQ Office of Marketing and Communications on 3365 1088.
Rachel Nolan (MP for Ipswich) can be contacted on 0400 961 394.
