New mum receives birthday scholarship

Professor Bill Lovegrove and school principal Ross Higgins congratulate Jessica McCall on winning a scholarship

Friday 25 February was a big day for new mum Talia Sleaford. Not only did she turn 21, but Talia also received a scholarship during the USQ Fraser Coast academic opening and awards ceremony.

She was one of 20 students to share in scholarships worth more than $50,000. Talia, of Urangan, started a Bachelor of Nursing degree last year. She is studying the accelerated program, which means she will finish the degree in two years instead of three.

'I studied over third semester, and also had a baby,' she said. 'Amber is eight weeks old.'

Talia is keen to become a nurse as soon as possible and is keen to check out all the different speciality areas of nursing.

'I’m looking to go into rural nursing and hope to spread my wings and go travelling,' she said. 'I can’t wait to get out there as soon as I can.'

Talia received the Bonnie Boreham Memorial Prize which is awarded to the first year nursing student with the highest achievement in the course, Medications: Theory and Practice. The award was presented by Jeff Boreham in memory of his wife, and is designed to encourage excellence in nursing practice.

The Audrey Redmond Memorial Prize for excellence in clinical practice and dedication to nursing care was awarded to Kirsty Davidson. Second year Bachelor of Business student Elle Green received the Fraser Coast Regional Council Marketing Scholarship for the highest combined achievement in the courses, Introduction to Marketing and Consumer Behaviour.

The Avance Chartered Accountants Award went to Casey Fraser as the highest achiever in Management Accounting 1. Business student Judith Postan received three scholarships – the Downer EDI Rail Scholarship, the Hervey Bay Chamber of Commerce Award and the Lewis and McNamara Award.

The Fraser Coast Anglican College Award went to Nathan Williams who received the highest grade point average for first year education students. Third-year education student Kylie Turner was awarded the Fraser Coast Regional Council Award and the USQ Education Award in academic excellence for continuing students.

The Freemasons of Hervey Bay Award went to nursing student Jade Goodfellow as the highest achiever for second year nursing. Nursing student Louise Foley was awarded the Inner Wheel Prize for gaining the highest achievement in Nursing Older People.

The Len Fisher Memorial Award went to Hayley Westbrook, who was the most outstanding new student in the Bachelor of Human Services program for 2010.

Three Olga Miller Bursaries went to Caitlin Ritchie, Casey Chilmaid and Sera-Lyn Terare, who all showed commitment to succeed in their studies.

The largest of the scholarships, the USQ Vice-Chancellor’s Principals Recommendation Scholarship, went to former Aldridge High student Jessica McCall. The Bachelor of Nursing student received $24,500.

The USQ Fraser Coast On-campus scholarship was presented to another former Aldridge High student, Lyall McDonald. He received $6000 to be used towards his Bachelor of Education degree.

The Distance Education Study Support scholarship went to Bachelor of Science student Heather Smith.

Fellow Bachelor of Science student Stephanie Piper, from Tiaro, received the $6000 School Partners Program scholarship. Stephanie is a former student of the Fraser Coast Anglican College.

Contact Details:
Katrina Corcoran, USQ Media, +61 7 4194 3167