From one St Margaret’s girl to another

In 2022, the nearly $200,000 donated to the Scholarship Fund delivered needs-based bursaries to 16 students.

For students and their families, bursary support means much more than assistance with the school fees for that term, year or years of schooling. The ability to access and complete a St Margaret’s education is an opportunity and a privilege that can and does have an impact on the young women here, their families and their communities for years to come.

Grace (’22) was one of the recipients of donor funded bursary support for her senior years of schooling, thanks to the generosity of past student Ashley DawsonDamer AM (’62).

The Ashley Dawson-Damer AM Boarding Bursary was established through a donation to the Scholarship Fund to support a student in completing her senior studies (Years 10, 11 and 12) at St Margaret’s.

Grace said: ‘The bursary has provided me with the privilege of attending an amazing school and receiving a unique education at St Margaret’s, which would not have been possible for me otherwise.

‘I also had the pleasure of meeting Ms Dawson-Damer, and it really was just an incredible experience to get to know her. I loved telling her about my life and school achievements, and most importantly thanking her for everything she has done for me and my family. She has changed my life and I will be forever grateful for her kindness and passion for helping young girls receive a privileged and special education.’

Grace will spend a gap year working on a cattle station in northern Queensland, after which she will commence an Occupational Therapy degree at university, her first preference for study.

This is only one of 16 stories that our donors helped to write through their giving in 2022.

As we look to 2023, based on the applications for bursary support last year, the need remains within our community. Donations to the Scholarship Fund of all sizes will assist us in reaching our goal of increasing the number of students year on year that we can provide this support to.