Ellen Rigby Memorial Scholarship

Eligibility

New or continuing students

Course(s)

Benefits

Criteria

Applicants must:

• be currently enrolled, or intending to enrol, in any undergraduate degree in the School of Humanities & Communication Arts, School of Social Sciences, or School of Psychology.
• be female.
• be able to demonstrate financial hardship, as per Western Sydney University's Opportunity and Equity Definitions.
• reside in Western Sydney
• be Australian citizens or permanent residents

Ellen Rigby

Ellen Rigby was a much-loved family matriarch who died on 30 June 2019 at 91 years of age. She immigrated to Australia in 1965 with her husband and five children and settled in Old Toongabbie. After her husband became ill and was unable to work, she went back to work as a cleaner, first at Parramatta Psychiatric Hospital and then at Rooty Hill RSL. She created a bright future for her family through sheer hard work and determination. She was a strong advocate for education and the role of woman in society. She proudly attended the university graduations of two of her children, many of her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She was irreverent, intelligent and determined.

Comacon is an Australian owned consultancy specialising in community and stakeholder engagement on infrastructure and natural resources projects. It has fourteen offices around the world and over 200 team members. It was founded by Donna Groves, who is Ellen’s granddaughter. Donna credits Ellen as being the inspiration for everything she has achieved and believes her grandmother was the best and most admirable person she has known. Donna and the family would like to see the essence of Ellen in the successful applicants. Hard work, determination, honour, loyalty, a commitment to supporting woman and a strong sense of social justice were core components of who Ellen was.

Application and Selection Process

Applicants must provide a statement in support of their application indicating how they believe the scholarship will assist them with their studies and in their future career. This statement should give sufficient explanation of the applicant's background and current circumstances to enable the University to judge their eligibility and merit.

Successful applicants will be selected based on their application, academic potential (based on GPA, ATAR or previous work experience) and their ability to meet the criteria.

Conditions

The recipient must remain enrolled in the required course (that is, not less than 20 credit points per semester).

The recipient is expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress by passing all subject attempts and maintaining a Pass average (GPA 4.0 or greater) for the duration of the scholarship.

If any of the specified conditions are not met, the recipient status and continuation of the scholarship will be assessed and determined by the University in consultation with the donor.