June 9, 2020
South Burnett Women president Caroline Cavanagh is looking for a bunch of enthusiastic, like-minded women to take over the not-for-profit group.
The unincorporated association organises the popular $5000 Ellen Mary Kent Hughes Memorial Scholarship which is awarded on International Women’s Day to assist a young South Burnett woman with tertiary study.
The 2020 winner, Victoria “Tori” Almond, from Maidenwell, was presented with her cheque at the Kumbia Kindergarten’s IWD lunch on March 8.
Tori, who graduated from Kingaroy State High School, is studying her first year of Veterinary Science at the University of Queensland’s Gatton campus.
She was selected from a pool of applicants by a panel of judges.
Caroline Cavanagh helped to establish South Burnett Women in 2016.
Since then it has held fundraising events, attracted sponsors and distributed scholarships in 2017 and 2018.
It also has an active presence on social media.
However, Caroline has moved away from the South Burnett and the number of committee members is dwindling.
“Even before COVID-19, we had been in a bit of hibernation here at South Burnett Women whilst life has drawn the team in different directions both geographically and in terms of work and family commitments,” Caroline said.
“Following our last major events in 2017 and 2018 we had a few dollars left in our kitty and decided that with a bit of effort we might have a chance of putting another scholarship together for 2020.
“With auspice support of Red Earth Community Foundation and cash injections from sponsors AGL Energy, Bega Cheese and Dr Mark Radford we were able to award our bursary to Victoria Almond.
“As life has its way of moving us along, we thought we’d put out the call for anyone who may wish to write the next chapter of South Burnett Women.
“The Ellen Mary Kent Hughes Memorial Scholarship and International Women’s Day Breakfast have been our signature events over the last few years, a number of incredible stand-alone projects that have empowered women of all ages in our community and a few relaxed social gatherings.
“A new team however would have a blank canvas supported by the social media platforms and portfolio of intellectual property that we have developed over the years.
Caroline has asked that anyone interested in running the group submit an expression of interest by Friday (June 12).
She can be contacted by email
“It has truly been an honour to work with such an amazing team of women over the years who have contributed to this movement. They have been and still are, an awesome bunch of women to be around!” Caroline said.
