Rotary Postgraduate Scholarship
The Rotary USC Community Fund (RUSCCF) was established in 1996-97 and first awarded in 2001 by the combined Rotary Clubs of the Sunshine Coast. Rotary Postgraduate Scholarships are awarded annually to students who have completed their undergraduate degree at UniSC and have enrolled and commenced postgraduate studies at either the Master or Doctorate levels at UniSC.
The RUSCCF Committee is made up of representatives from 17 Rotary clubs from Caloundra to Noosa. Each club is encouraged to make an annual contribution to the Fund at the RUSCCF Annual Joint Meeting and Dinner. To date, the combined clubs have contributed more than $210,000 to the Fund and have awarded 62 scholarships to UniSC students.
The Scholarships are valued at $4,500 each and three scholarships are awarded each year.
Contact Rotary USC Community Fund Committee
Secretary: Ms Wendy Gilson Chair: Mr Ian Barnett
2022 ROTARY AUSTRALIA CENTENARY SCHOLARSHIP
The Rotary Australia Centenary Scholarship commemorates the 100th Anniversary of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand. The scholarship is funded by the Sunshine Coast Rotary South Cluster of Clubs including: Alexandra Headland, Buderim, Caloundra, Caloundra Pacific, Maroochydore and Mooloolaba. The scholarship is awarded in 2022 only to a student who has completed their undergraduate degree at UniSC and commenced postgraduate studies at UniSC at either the Master or Doctorate level with a focus on conservation and the environment related research.
The scholarship has been awarded to Ms Charlotte Raven.
Charlotte Raven
After completing her Bachelor of Science (Honours) in 2021, Charlotte commenced her PhD studies at UniSc. Charlotte's current research focuses on tropical forest responses to disturbance and how these responses influence invertebrate litter communities. Charlotte has completed numerous months of fieldwork both in and out of Australia with research findings contributing to both her undergraduate degree and FoRCE (Forest Restoration and Climate Experiment), with whom she is closely working with for her current PhD research. During Charlotte's degree she worked closely with the Brisbane City Council in implementing biological controls that were found to be effective in one of her research projects.
2022 Rotary Postgraduate Scholarship recipients
Lisa Musgrove
Lisa completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) at UniSC in 2021 and has commenced her PhD in the same field. Her work focuses on cultured meat, an emerging technology in food sustainability that aims to produce real meat directly from animal cells, reducing the need to farm and slaughter so many animals. Lisa is passionate about improving the impact of food on our environment, and also works for Cellular Agriculture Australia, the premier non-profit in this emerging space in Australia. After several decades working in various corporate roles and raising a family, Lisa is now realising a life-long dream of returning to university to gain a PhD in a fascinating and important field.
Kirsty O'Callaghan
After completing her Bachelor of Communication (Honours) in 2021, Kirsty commenced her PhD studies at UniSC. Her research focuses on climate change communication in polarised and political environments and women leaders' roles in addressing climate change. She has supported the 'Real Rural' research projects over the past three years in the position of social media manager and research assistant and participates in numerous UniSC Students as Partners program opportunities. Before embarking on her degree and subsequent PhD research, Kirsty had two decades of corporate and business experience and continues to be active in her consulting business and several voluntary and pro bono roles.
Lisa Randall
In 2021 Lisa completed her Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Bachelor of Science (Honours) for which she received a University Medal and obtained Honours 1st Class. She has now commenced her PhD studies at UniSC and is a sessional tutor in biochemistry. The focus of her research is to determine the cellular activity of a compound extracted from the cerumen of Australian stingless bees. It is thought that this compound could alleviate the formation of hypertrophic scars, which adversely affect millions of people worldwide. Prior to commence her degrees, Lisa was an intensive care registered nurse for nearly 20 years. When her 4th child commenced school, she decided that it was a perfect opportunity to follow a long-held dream to study and research in the field of Biomedical Science.
Rotary Postgraduate Scholarship Alumni
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Thomas Banks
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Shannon Horsfall
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Thomas Lang
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Dylan Astley
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Aaron Brunton
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Cameron DeGraw
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Brittany Elliott
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Kaylene Ballard
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Elin Pollanen
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Andrew Allen
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Makeely Blandford
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Joanne Boon
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Luke Hawley
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Kaylet (Kye) McDonald
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Ryan Newis
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Lara Meital
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Gail Loader
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Rachele Wilson
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Alessandra Whaite
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Andrew Allen
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Marion Brown
- Karina Rune
- Daniel Meloncelli
- Bruce Randall
- Eva Hatje
- Benjamin Lane
- Lauren Simmons
- Jennifer Castell
- Corinna Burgen-Maunder
- Cathryn Morriss
- Michael Gardiner
- Danielle Formosa
- Jacob Turner
- Roslyn Clapperton
- Lee-anne Bye
- Clark Taylor
- Kate Fitzgerald
- Felicity Templeman
- Katie Sutter
- Jamila Rosdahl
- Nubia Ramos
- Wayne Graham
- Michael Powell
- Judy Wickes
- Vikki Shaffer
- Joanne Freeman
- Greg Nash
- Robert Lamont
- Luke Keioskie
- Vikki Schaffer
- Rachel James
- Stephen Tucker
- Gai Van Hees
- Maria Arena
- Wayne Graham
- Lindsay Cripps
- Craig Hansen
- Robert Glen
- David Walton
- Duncan Thompson
- Helen Ison
- Catherine Titheridge
Recognition of contributions
The following Clubs have been presented with plaques in recognition of their various levels of cumulative contributions to the Fund. The University is grateful for the long standing and generous support provided by all Rotary Clubs.
Sapphire
Cumulative contribution of $40,000
- Rotary Club of Mooloolaba
Platinum
Cumulative contribution of $20,000
- Rotary Club of Glasshouse Mountains
- Rotary Club of Nambour
- Rotary Club of Caloundra
Gold
Cumulative contribution of $10,000
- Rotary Club of Alexandra Headland
- Rotary Club of Buderim
- Rotary Club of Caloundra Pacific
- Rotary Club of Kawana Waters
- Rotary Club of Maleny
- Rotary Club of Noosa Daybreak
Silver
Cumulative contribution of $5,000
- Rotary Club of Maroochydore
- Rotary Club of Cooroy
Bronze
Cumulative contribution of $2,500
- Rotary Club of Nambour '76