Graduate Women Qld Sunshine Coast (GWQ SC)


Wendy Ashley-Cooper

Wendy Ashley-Cooper - President

GWQ Sunshine Coast

We advocate for:
• women’s rights
• equality and empowerment through access to quality secondary and tertiary education, and
• training, up to the highest levels.

Our vision is 100% of girls and women in the world achieving education beyond primary school.

For further information, visit the following web sites:
• Graduate Women Qld
• UniSC Scholarships


Unity, Strength and vibrancy

Our unity, strength and vibrancy resides in the fact that every member is a graduate of a tertiary institution, a graduate with a strong belief in action, fellowship and creating opportunities for other women.

Take a moment to imagine a group of approximately 80 Sunshine Coast women:
• From many different walks of life
• From diverse areas of Australia and overseas
• With diverse interests, skills and abilities
• With a keen interest in areas such as education, social justice, the environment, the economy and the arts

Active involvement is a key priority of our organisation. Commitment by members to this ethos has enabled us to grow, evolve and thrive for over 25 years.

Current Executive Committee 2024-2025
GWQ-SC 2024 to 2025 Executive Committee
Back Row Left to Right: Ela, Pam, Lena, Janet, Gerrie - Front Row Left to Right: Bev, Wendy, Robyn and Bernice (Sandra Jeffries not present)

• President - Wendy Ashley-Cooper • Secretary - Robyn Nolan • Treasurer - Pam Wighton • Vice President 1# - Bev Hinz • Vice President 2# - Gerrie Boeyen • Bursary Chair - Gerrie Boeyen • Refugee/MSP Chair - Janet Sweatman • Membership Coordinator - Bev Hinz • Newsletter Editor - Bernice Anderson • Committee members - Lena Robinson, Sandra Jeffries and Ela Malisz



Executive Committee 2023-2024
GWQ-SC 2024 Executive Committee

Executive Committee 2022-2023
GWQ-SC 2023 Executive Committee

Executive Committee 2021-2022
GWQ-SC 2021 Executive Committee

Executive Committee 2020-2021
GWQ-SC 2021 Executive Committee
Left to right: Sylvia Hovey, Barbara Campbell, Janet Sweatman, Bev Hinz (President), Linda Boyle, Glenda Darville, Robyn Nolan, Pam Vagg, Jenny Hughes, Bernice Anderson.

Executive Committee 2019-2020
GWQ-SC 2019 Executive Committee
Left to right: Lorraine Glover, Sylvia Hovey, Glenda Darville (back), Jenny Hughes,
Bev Hinz (President), Sally Chandler (back), Barbara Campbell, Bernice Anderson, Patricia Eiby. (Absent: Joy Ryan).

Executive Committee 2017-2018
GWQ-SC 2018 Executive Committee
(Left to Right): Sylvia Hovey, Robyn Redknap, Marilyn Keelty, Bev Hinz, Jan Allan, Margaret Landbeck,
Judy Allinson, Bernice Anderson, Margaret Welshe and Joy Ryan.

Executive Committee 2016-2017
GWQ-SC 2016 Executive Committee
(Left to Right): Yvonne Koster, Margaret Welshe, Bev Hinz (President), Judy Allinson,
Dr Jan Allan, Davinia Nieper, Joy Ryan, Bernice Anderson and Sylvia Hovey.

 

Celebrated 25 Years - 2016

GWQ Sunshine Coast celebrated 25 years of support to women and girls in education. This includes financial assistance in the form of bursaries at UniSC, to refugee students at Milpera SHS, and to the STEMM program at Burnside SHS. Refugee girls from Yeronga SHS are also beneficiaries of support and assistance. 25year member reflections were highlighted and acknowledged and members, guests, partners and friends celebrated this milestone at the Maroochy Surf Club on 7th October, 2016. Our incoming President, Bev Hinz, was acknowledged with an honorary life membership from GWQ President, Dr Mary Crawford, for her outstanding commitment and support to the Sunshine Coast Branch and its initiatives.

In that time of 25 years, support for women and girls in education has included:

• $89,500 in undergraduate bursaries to Universty of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC)
• $9,000 in postgraduate bursaries to UniSC
• $8,200 in awards for students to undertake rural and remote professional placement
• $5,000 in bursaries to Milpera State High School for exiting female students
• $5,000 donated to STEMM (Supporting Teenagers with Education, Mothering and Mentoring) program at Burnside SHS, in the form of bursaries and other support
• In excess of 40 refugee girls hosted during school vacations, for English improvement and a holiday
• Additional donations to organisations such as SAWA (Support Association for the Women of Afghanistan)

Bev Hinz receiving her Honorary Life Membership from GWQ President, Dr Mary Crawford

Past Presidents who attended - cutting the Anniversary cake. (L to R):
Libby Burge, Sylvia Hovey, Bev Hinz, Marilyn Keelty, Bernice Anderson and Norma McMichael


Book Launch – Volume 2 “An Educated Woman” June 2014

After the dedicated work of President Sylvia Hovey, and with editorial assistance from Past President Bernice Anderson, the second edition of “An Educated Woman” was finally launched. This edition records the lives and thoughts of GWQ SC members (including their university and professional experiences), and follows the initial book, which was completed in 2001.

SC Member Helen McBride (Past National President of AFUW Qld) presented an excellent tribute and history of “An Educated Woman” and officially launched this volume.

Professor Karen Nelson (who had recently joined the UniSC faculty as Pro Vice Chancellor – Students) attended, representing UniSC and spoke of the close connections between GWQ SC and UniSC.