Joyce Newton’s Legacy lives on the hinterland

Mrs Joyce Newton, along with her husband Greg and her family were long time residents of Maleny. They came to Maleny who came to Maleny in the late 1970s. Joyce had been a teacher who was well versed in history and civics. Unfortunately she succumbed to motor neurone disease in October 2018.

During her time in Maleny she was instrumental in the original Maleny swimming pool and in finding a new home for the planned Indoor Aquatic Centre and Hydrotherapy Pool. She singlehandedly ran the Maleny Blood Bank at the Maleny hospital each month during the 1980s, served on the executive of the Maleny swimming club, soccer club, Girl Guides, state and high school P&C’s and was a key figure in the formation of a nursing mothers group and kindergarten in Maleny.

In her memory Member for Glass House Mr. Andrew Powell MP launched an annual bursary in memory of Joyce for Year 11 and 12 students who reside in the electorate of Glass House.

Mr. Powell MP has announced the 2023 Joyce Newton OAM Memorial Bursary winner as Year 12 Beerwah Stage High School student, Nikita Emhofer.

Miss Emhofer has been crowned as this year’s winner after providing a written application and impressing both Mr Powell and the late Mrs Newton’s daughter, Jen Tunley, in an interview. She demonstrated a very high level of academic achievement, ambition and community involvement.

Nikita will receive a $1,000 voucher to spend at Concept IT in Maleny, as well as dinner for her and her family and acknowledgement of her achievement in Queensland Parliament.

Around the 1930’s the kitchen was one of the parts of the house that was normally the centre of entertainment and family life. Electrical goods and extra space were very sparse https://issuu.com/Maleny-Grapevine-Community-News with

But this year, the wins don’t stop there. Andrew and Jen Newton decided to award two runners up prizes of $500 vouchers to Kelly Schofield from Maleny State High School and Nina Taylor from St Columban’s College.

“In their interviews, both Kelly and Nina embodied a real community spirit that I know mum would have been proud of.” said Mrs Tunley.

“And to the other applicants who didn’t quite succeed this year, thank you for your efforts. Each of you are amazing. It was our immense pleasure to get to know you through the process. And our future is safe in your hands,” concluded Mr Powell.