For Laurie Cowled the act of giving comes naturally. The real reward comes from watching the success of the talented women she supports through a number of educational scholarships.
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) joined with the Queensland Community Foundation (QCF) to present Ms Cowled The Public Trustee sponsored Community Philanthropist of the Year Award at QUT's Old Government House on Friday, in recognition of her support through a number of philanthropic ventures including the Cowled Foundation and Macow Fund.
More than $1 million has been donated to QUT by Ms Cowled with an additional bequest to support a number of scholarships for gifted indigenous and socially and economically disadvantaged women to achieve their potential through tertiary education.
Ms Cowled, formerly a successful business woman in Sydney and now a Sunshine Coast writer, has also set up the Ron Macnamara Rural Nursing Scholarship at QUT.
Named after her late husband, the postgraduate scholarship will foster the further education of advanced practice nurses and nurse practitioners in rural Australia.
"I hope that if these girls are successful in their future they will think 'someone helped me when I was young and needed a hand, so now I'm going to set up scholarships to do the same thing'," she said.
"Education is so important and I like to think that it will reach out and spread like a spiderweb."
QUT director of alumni and development Simone Garske said Ms Cowled was an inspirational figure.
"It really is a privilege to be acquainted with a philanthropist of Laurie Cowled's calibre," she said.
"We have known each other for several years and over that time she has certainly inspired many at QUT with her commitment to helping others fulfil their full potential.
"Laurie's involvement with the university extends far beyond financial support. Through the selection and awarding process, Laurie meets and encourages many of the recipients - aiding in building the award winners' self-esteem and personal pride."
QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Coaldrake said Ms Cowled's support was helping to shape a new generation of female leaders who would have a positive impact on the world.
"The university is grateful for Laurie Cowled's ongoing and generous philanthropy that has helped to change the lives of many QUT women and provided them with scholarships and opportunities they might not otherwise have had," Professor Coaldrake said.
"Via the QUT Learning Potential Fund, the Ron Macnamara Scholarship, the Fostering Executive Women program and the Indigenous Business Endowment, Laurie has supported women from indigenous and remote backgrounds to pursue study, assisted rural nursing and sent women to study business at the world-renowned Harvard University."
The Public Trustee of Queensland Peter Carne said his organisation was pleased to support the Community Philanthropist of the Year Award and congratulated Laurie Cowled on her dedication to philanthropy.
For more information on donating to QUT visit: www.giving.qut.edu.au
*High res images available for media use.
Media contact:
Alita Pashley, QUT media officer, 07 3138 1841 or alita.pashley@qut.edu.au
