Australia’s first alumni association, Alumni Friends, marked the closure of the Incorporated Association with over $1.8 million donated in 2019–2020. This includes 2020 funds to establish a number of endowed scholarships, including the Honourable Dr Penelope Wensley AC Sports Scholarship, the Lisbeth Hopkins OAM Scholarship, the Betty Fletcher Memorial Travelling Scholarship, the Alumni Friends Veterinary Science Scholarship, and the UQ 3MT® People’s Choice and UQ Great Court Race Prizes.
In 2020, Alumni Friends embarked on the next chapter in their history. Now a UQ Giving Society, the volunteer-led Leadership Board has launched an ambitious challenge: the Next One Million Dollar project.
Alumni Friends’ Next One Million Dollar project aims to establish at least 10 new endowed UQ scholarships. The first four scholarships are already fully-funded, and the inaugural recipients will be selected later this year for the Joan Lambrides, Joan Lawrence AM, Walker Family and Alumni Friends’ Founders Scholarships.
Fundraising is already underway for three additional scholarships to be named in honour of former members, including work by members of Friends of Antiquity who are raising funds to establish the Emeritus Professor Robert Milns AM Undergraduate Scholarship.
Alumni Friends’ Next One Million Dollar project is already at the halfway mark thanks to our generous community.
