The Helen Ovens bursary is to honour Helen, an integral member of NCWQ who passed away suddenly in 2013. Helen would have liked a bursary to go toward a mother’s educational expenses. She spoke often about the need for a mother, especially a stay-at-home mother, to have her own income to give her some independence.
She also spoke about the disappearance of one’s identity as an individual that comes with motherhood. This is particularly true when her children are young and the majority of her attention is focussed on caring for them and raising them.
To avoid this loss of identity Helen thought it was important to have, and to keep alive, interests and projects that nourished that part of her: The Individual. Helen the individual always had a project. She had interests as diverse as fashion design, philosophy, sculpture, ancient languages, and literature.
She began her own business in fashion design during the 80’s. Her daughter, Nea, remembers getting up for a late-night wander, all the lights would be off in the house except for Helen’s studio. ‘It was wonderful to see her in there working hard as she quietly sewed her fabulous designs. She actually won an award for ‘resort wear’. Later, when we were teenagers, she also enrolled herself into Arts at UQ. She absolutely loved it.’
The value of the bursary is $1,100.
There are two key steps to apply for this bursary:
Step 1 – Check Eligibility and
Step 2 – Submit An Application – this occurs on the Zealous platform. You will be provided with a link at the end of the eligibility check. You will be asked to create a Zealous account with your name and email before you can proceed.
To be eligible to apply for this bursary, you must meet each of the specified Eligibility Criteria and be able to address the Selection criteria (as listed in Step 1 below).
The Selection Criteria is used to assess your application.
In Step 2 of the process, you will be provided with helpful hints to complete your application.
You are invited to Start Step 1 – Check Eligibility
1. You may apply for more than one bursary if you meet the relevant criteria. A separate application is required for each bursary.
2. Preference will be given to applicants who have not been a previous recipient in the NCWQ Bursary Program.
The details which you provide in the application are held in strict confidence and are accessed only by the Bursary Selection Panel members of the National Council of Women of Queensland Inc (“NCWQ”) Bursary Program and the Bursary Sponsor. Information contained in the application is to only be used for the purpose of administration of the NCWQ Bursary Program. The information will not be disclosed to any third party without prior written permission from the Applicant.
Applications for the 2025 Bursary Program are now open.
Check your eligibility below.
We welcome enquiries from potential bursary partners and bursary applicants. Please contact the NCWQ Bursary Program Manager, Kathy Cavanagh.