CWA Education Grants
Applications open for CWA Education Grants on 1st August and close on 30th September annually. They will be considered at the November Executive Meeting each year and must be received at State Office no later than 30th September. No applications will be accepted after this date.
Please note: An applicant can only apply for one grant. Successful applicants may only apply every third year eg If successful in 2019 they cannot apply again until 2022.
For Applicants
CWA of NSW offers a variety of Education Grants to students from NSW. Please see below for details on each grant.
Application forms are available from State Office or from your local Branch. All applications must be sent directly to State Office, by email or mail, including a brief outline of the applicant’s goals and aims and two letters of recommendation – one educational and one other (eg CWA of NSW member, sports coach, Minister of Religion, employer etc but not a family member).
For the contact details of your local Branch, visit the Branches and Groups page on this website or call State Office on (02) 8337 0200.
For Branches/Groups
Applications should be sent to State Office on the appropriate forms. These are included in the Procedures Manual or may be obtained from State Office.
Jopling Education Grant
Tenable by a child or grandchild (boy or girl) of a member to assist with secondary school education.
Mildred Jopling was a member of the Cremorne-Neutral Bay Branch and a school teacher at SCEGGS (Sydney Church of England Girls Grammar School). The Red Cross and CWA were her two great interests. On her death, she left a sum of money to provide a grant for the child of a member. CWA branches continue to contribute to this fund so that we could increase the amount we distribute for more children to benefit.
Matthew Robinson/Mary and Ella Hall Education Grant (Est. 1961/1978)
Tenable by a student from the Western Districts area to assist with secondary school or tertiary education
Matthew Robinson was a Western grazier. His widow was very concerned
about the difficulty, in those days, of children attending school far
from home. In 1946, Mrs Robinson bought a building in Dubbo and gave it
to the CWA for a School Girl's Hostel, as a memorial to her husband. In
1961 the Hostel was sold, as expensive repairs were necessary, and
school bus services had lessened the need for a Hostel. After Mrs
Robinson's death her daughter, Miss Katherine Robinson, and CWA agreed
that the money in hand from the sale be invested, and the interest
earned used to pay Hostel fees for a western area girl at a Western
Hostel. Now that most Hostels have gone, the grant is being used for
general purposes of education.
In 1977, we received a bequest of $1,000 from the estate of the Late
Miss Mary Hall to be used for the Association's special purpose. Her
sister Miss Ella Hall, expressed a wish that it be used for a grant, and
generously added $4,500. Miss Ella Hall passed away in 1992.
The Irene Ashton Memorial Education Grant (Est. 1988)
Tenable by a student to assist with secondary or tertiary education.
Mrs Irene Ashton, a member of the Carcoar-Mandurama Branch, bequeathed $23,000 to the Association in 1988. Executive decided to invest this amount, and use the interest to provide grants in her memory.
CWA Griffith War Memorial Hostel Education Grant
Tenable by a student from the CWA Murrumbidgee-Lachlan or Darling River Group areas to assist with secondary school education.
This Grant was made possible from the proceeds of the Hostel's closure in 1998. Officially opened in 1958, the hostel had provided lodgings for boys and girls from isolated families attending schools in Griffith.
The Jean Martin/Louie Jean Mercer Performing Arts Education Grant (Est 1983 and merged with Louie Jean Mercer 2019)
To be awarded in the area of the Arts to a boy or girl up to the age of 25 years with demonstrated artistic ability. This grant is available to members and non-members.
Mrs Jean Weir Martin was a member of Coffs Harbour Branch, who passed away in April 1982. Mrs Martin wished the grant to be awarded in the area of the Arts.
Miss Louie Jean Mercer was a member of Blackville Branch, who passed away in July 2015. Miss Mercer wished to assist country children pursue careers in the performing arts.
The Phyllis Kindon Humanitarian Award (Est. 1982)
Tenable by a member who devotes care and attention to a disabled or aged person. There are many ways in which this award can be used (to pay for someone to care for the disabled or aged person whilst the member takes a holiday, or for the purchase of equipment to make the task of caring easier) at the discretion of the recipient. Please make a special effort to nominate a member.
Miss Phyllis Kindon of Canimbla Branch (a member of the Darby's Fall Branch at the time), donated $1,000 as the capital, and another $120 so that the first award could be made in November, 1982. The idea was to commemorate the Association's Diamond Jubilee Year, and the International Year of the Disabled. In 1984, Miss Kindon kindly donated a further $4,000 capital so that the award could be made annually.
Cynthia Druitt Education Grant
To be awarded to a Hospitality student who is currently attending a TAFE College offering Hospitality courses. The student must have successfully completed the first year of the course to be eligible and must attach a character reference from their College.
Palliative Care Nurse Education Grant
The Social Issues Committee Palliative Nurse Education Grant was formed in 2019. The grant is tenable by a Registered Nurse seeking to upskill in palliative care. The applicant does not need to have a CWA of NSW connection. See G 21-5 in the Procedures Manual for further details.
Bush Bursary
The NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN) Bush Bursaries and Country Women's Association of NSW Scholarships provide selected medical students in NSW/ACT with $3,000 each to assist with costs associated with their studies. In return, students spend two weeks on a rural placement in country NSW during their university holidays. The placement combines the enjoyable aspects of country life and rural medicine. See G 21-10 in the Procedures Manual for further details.
Enquiries about this scholarship can be directed to the RDN Future Workforce team by email ([email protected]) or 02 8337 8100. Or further information may be found at www.nswrdn.com.au
Member’s Scholarship
CWA of NSW members may apply for a Member’s Scholarship towards tuition fees for a broad range of academic, professional or personal development courses. It is intended to advance women’s causes, particularly in regional, rural or remote areas. The scholarship opens 1 August and closes 30 September. Eligibility is limited to applicants who are active members of the CWA of NSW and who have held their membership for at least three consecutive years.
Education Grants by Branch or Group
Please contact the Branch or Group Secretary directly for information about local grants.