This year’s NCWQ bursary award ceremony was one to remember. Among the many special women being recognised for their achievements and talents, were Claire Costello and Ella Madigan.
Receiving the NCWQ Ipswich City Council Secondary bursary, Claire and Ella were recognised for their achievements in a number of areas.
Ipswich City Council is a long-term donor to the NCWQ bursary program. Since 2017 two new bursaries valued at $1000.00 each, were added to assist female residents of Ipswich undertaking full-time secondary study. This may include vocational studies as part of a secondary program. Applicants are expected to be involved in their local community.
To apply for one of the two bursaries, the following criteria must have addressed the following:
- A female resident of Ipswich City Council area
- Enrolled in full-time, Year 11/12 secondary studies, (possibly including a school-based vocational program), at a school within the Ipswich City Council area
- Able to demonstrate commitment to leadership within your school or local community
- An Australian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia
NCWQ is very pleased to award this bursary to both Claire and Ella.
Claire Costello
“I aspire to achieve my goal – doing something fulfilling that will have a positive influence on others in the future”, Claire’s closing sentence of her application.
Claire is currently the School Captain at St Mary’s College in Ipswich and told us that she is blessed with being gifted both academically, culturally and in the sporting arena, having been involved in choirs, musicals, sporting teams and academic programs. She also volunteers for Rosie’s and St Vinnies, tutors younger students and supports as many as possible of the foundations and communities that her school is involved with.
Claire remarks that she is extremely friendly and genuinely wants to help people in any way she can, and is determined to achieve the best she has to offer in all that she does.
A wonderful attitude to take forward into the next stage of her life.
Ella Madigan
Ella is currently the School Captain of Bremer State High School and in this capacity has represented her school within the community of Ipswich through sporting, cultural and academic events. She is also a regular volunteer at Rosies Ipswich, and last year organised a children’s items drive for Hummingbird House the only Hospice for children in Queensland.
Ella plays both touch football and basketball and says she enjoys being a member of the Ipswich Associations, but as this is her last year of high school she is obviously prioritising her focus on her academic senior subjects.
She is aiming for an OP1 so that she can study medicine at University with her ultimate aim being to become a surgeon one day.
In her application Ella also mentioned that she hoped to continue her community work by initiating larger projects for those in need – Ella we will look forward to seeing the fruits of your labour.
Congratulations ladies! We are so looking forward to following your exciting ongoing journey.
