Zonta Club of Blackall Range has announced applications for its 2022 scholarships are now open, and an application form can be requested from scholarship@zontablackallrange.org.au.
Each year the club offers two scholarships to women tertiary students who meet the selection requirements and are worth $1500 each. One has been sponsored by Zontian Susan Brandt on behalf of her Maleny real estate company Brandt and Bernhardt.
Chair of the scholarship committee, Linda McElrea, said the scholarships can be for any discipline and include students from any tertiary institution, university, college or TAFE. She urged students to submit their applications as soon as possible as the competition was always considerable and entries close on April 30.
“We have had some amazing students in the past. We ask them to speak to the club the year after they receive the scholarship and we are always impressed by the quality of the work they are doing in all disciplines, from jewellery making to criminology and marine science,” she said.
“Their career direction, however, must indicate the promotion of the wellbeing and advancement of women and girls.”
Zonta International (ZI), was established more than 100 years ago in 1919 with the aim to encourage the education of girls.
Its mission has developed into advancing the status of women in all areas of their lives, with the current emphasis on the challenge of the proliferation of domestic and family violence. The organisation is one of only 146 NGOs to have consultative status with the United Nations and most of its service to developing countries is done in conjunction with United Nations Women.
Applicants for the local scholarships must have completed at least one year of tertiary study in their chosen field or have been working in that field and decided to take up further study to advance their qualifications.
A commitment to community service either currently or previously is also part of the criteria, and she must be a permanent resident, or born or raised in the area covered by the Zonta Club of Blackall Range.
This includes the hinterland from Maleny to Kureelpa including Conondale, Kenilworth, Palmwoods and Landsborough.
“The awardees would also need to show they require financial assistance to further their studies or career experiences,” said Linda.
University of the Sunshine Coast scholarship committee would advise their students about the Zonta scholarships and USC students could access the form through the university web site.