More scholarships to support QLD women

More Queensland women could find themselves managing a team of workers on a construction site, tuning cars at a mechanics or helping to protect the Great Barrier Reef following the opening of the next round of the State Government’s Supporting Women Scholarships.

Visiting the Ekka, Premier Campbell Newman and Education, Training and Employment Minister John-Paul Langbroek encouraged women of all ages and backgrounds to take the opportunity to move into male dominated industries.

Mr Newman said the Supporting Women Scholarships initiative delivered on an election commitment and was all part the government’s strong plan to get Queensland back on track.

“Every day this government’s focus is on creating jobs and opportunities for Queenslanders by growing a four pillar economy,” he said.

“We’re working hard to ensure Queenslanders have the right skills and training to get a job.

“The Supporting Women Scholarships initiative is part of our strong plan to address skills shortages and boost productivity so that Queensland can again become the nation’s leading economy.”

Mr Langbroek said the scholarships offered up to $20,000 for Queensland women to pursue study or training in industries that are traditionally male-dominated.

“Supporting Women Scholarships aim to increase the role of women in agricultural and environmental studies, architecture and building, engineering, earth sciences and information technology,” he said.

“Whether they are leaving school, returning to the workforce or changing careers, all women are encouraged to apply for the next round of the program.

“Queensland needs a highly skilled and motivated workforce to build a stronger economy, and increasing women’s participation rates across our workforce will help us achieve that goal.”

Mr Langbroek said since the program’s 2013 launch, 246 Queensland women have received more than $4 million to support their training or study Supporting Women Scholarships.

“Previous recipients acknowledge the part scholarships have played in helping achieve their ambitions and the third year of the program promises to help even more Queensland women.”

The Premier and the Minister were joined by previous recipients Fynn De Daunton, Taleta Bailey and Alexandra Thomson who have used the scholarship to support their studies in Agricultural Science.

“Receiving this scholarship has helped me take advantage of great opportunities while studying,” Ms De Daunton said.

“I was able to travel to Bundaberg over the summer and volunteer at the Mon Repo turtle centre, where I learnt key research skills that will help me later in my agricultural career.

“This scholarship also gave me the opportunity to live on campus for my first year of study at the University of Queensland Gatton campus, and to fully immerse myself in the culture and study of agriculture.

“Having this financial backing and therefore ability to take advantage of these opportunities has been invaluable.

“As a woman studying, and in the future, working in a male dominated industry, I think this scholarship is very important in recognising this discrepancy and encouraging women to study in the agricultural sector.” 

More testimonials below.

Recipients are provided up to $5,000 each year (for full time study) for vocational education and training, undergraduate degrees and post graduate qualifications.

Applications for the 2015 academic year open from today (11 August 2014) until 10 October 2014.

For more information about the Supporting Women Scholarships program, visit www.supportingwomen.qld.gov.au

[ENDS] 11 August, 2014

Media contact:

Premier’s Office – 07 3719 7000

Minister’s Office - Danita Goodwin 0439 886 652

Scholarship testimonials*

Mellissa Aves (Benowa) - Diploma of Building Construction

When Mellissa Aves saw Supporting Women Scholarships advertised in her local paper she saw an opportunity to increase her qualifications. Melissa completed her Bachelor of Architecture in 2004 and since then has progressed from graduate to project leader within an architectural firm.

“I’m currently studying for a Diploma of Building & Construction and this additional qualification will allow me to bridge the gap between Architect and builder to get the most out of a project” Ms Aves said.

“The Supporting Women Scholarship has relieved the financial pressure of further study for me and I wouldn’t have taken the plunge back into education without that support.

“There are a lot of men working in the building and construction industry which can be intimidating, so the scholarship is empowering in the sense that I don’t have to do it alone.

“It also provides me with the much needed motivation to keep going and succeed because I also have the scholarship offering their support and I don’t want to let the program down.   

“My two passions are design and problem solving.  Ultimately I would like to integrate intelligent design and building solutions to formulate a scenario where ones’ family home has the ability to adapt and replenish over time. 

“This is important in terms of sustainability and in reducing the cost of living and the Supporting Women Scholarship takes me that step closer to fulfilling this ideal,” Melissa said.

Teale Grant (Ferny Grove) - Bachelor of Engineering

The Supporting Women Scholarship is helping Teale Grant pursue her dream to be an engineer. Teale completed Grade 12 in 2013 and commenced her Bachelor of Engineering in 2014.

“I always wanted to study engineering and the scholarship allows me to focus on university and do the best I can,” Ms Grant said.

“The Supporting Women Scholarship means I haven’t had any financial pressure, so I can dedicate plenty of time to studying instead of worrying about how I am going to pay for my textbooks and other bits and pieces.

“I have been active in mentoring programs for Indigenous youth, so the scholarship is also helping me to be a positive role model for Indigenous females.

“It helps me to focus and keeps me motivated because I want to lead the way for Indigenous women in the engineering industry.”

Sudeshna Paul  (Toowoomba) - PHD on Carbon emission reduction: a cost effective analysis between Australian households and industry.

Sudeshna Paul received one of five pilot top-up scholarships in 2014 aimed at women pursuing research and higher degree studies. She is now undertaking a research paper on climate change.

Sudeshna was in the process of deciding her research topic when she discovered the Supporting Women Scholarship on the university website.

“Even though I was reasonably sure about researching climate change, the Supporting Women Scholarship opened up new possibilities for me,” Ms Paul said.

“Thanks to the scholarship I’m expanding my research plans because I’m able to go to more conferences discussing climate change.

“After I found out that I was awarded a Supporting Women Scholarship, it boosted my self-confidence and is motivating me to complete my research.

“Ultimately I want to be part of the sustainable development industry in Australia and the Supporting Women Scholarship is helping me along the way to achieve that goal.”

Sophia Marmara (Kirwan) - Bachelor of Engineering

Sophia Marmara was researching support options prior to starting her Bachelor of Engineering degree when she learnt about the Supporting Women Scholarship.

“It was the best scholarship I found and being involved with the program has had a very positive influence on my study,” Ms Marmara said.

“While I was confident I wanted to study engineering, being awarded the scholarship was confirmation for me that women had a place in the engineering industry and I feel more secure with my choice of career.

“The scholarship also allows me to devote a lot more time to my study, so it is a little easier to juggle work and university commitments.

“I hope to complete a chemical engineering degree and work in the mining sector. When I attended the scholarship presentation ceremony it was such a great opportunity to network with other women with similar goals as I mine.”

Jemila Darr (Springfield) - Bachelor of Environmental Engineering

One year into a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering at Griffith University, successful Supporting Women Scholarships applicant, Jemila Darr, already has big plans for her future.

Jemila’s interest in engineering was sparked in 2010 when she attended the Indigenous Australian Engineering Summer School. Her eagerness to work outside and improve the world for the future helped her decide on environmental engineering as a career path.

The transition from school to university has been smooth for Jemila. She has enjoyed building on her fundamental maths and science knowledge as well as learning new information. 

Being awarded a scholarship through the Queensland Government program has helped Jemila with some of her university costs, such as costs for text books and lab notes.

Jemila is quick to encourage other women to apply for a Supporting Women Scholarship.

“I hope to undertake an internship in the coming years and to become an environmental engineer in a global company after graduating,” Ms Darr said.

“My Mother always said the world is your oyster, you can do anything.”

*Interviews with recipients can be provided upon request. Please contact: 3328 6518