An 18-year-old Morayfield singer studying a Bachelor of Music at QUT has been awarded the 2015 QUT Amy Clough Scholarship which will cover her first year of tuition fees.
The scholarship was created in 2013 for QUT Creative Industries students affected by cancer. Elizabeth Grant's mother Raelene died from melanoma when Elizabeth was six years old and she said the scholarship feels like a gift from her.
"Winning the Amy Clough Scholarship feels like a loving push in the right direction from my mother who can't be here to guide me through life," said Elizabeth.
"Studying music at QUT will allow me to explore multiple genres and give me lots of options before I choose a career path."
Elizabeth said her family, including her step mother and younger brother and sister, was very supportive of her dreams but also credits her high school music teacher.
"If I had not gone to Morayfield High School I would not have met my amazing music teacher Debbie Thorpe who inspired me to pursue music," she said.
The QUT Amy Clough Scholarship was launched to assist students undertaking studies in entertainment industries, journalism or music who have been personally affected by cancer.
The scholarship is named in memory of enterprising music fan and University of the Sunshine Coast student Amy Clough, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma at age 16. She passed away in 2012 aged 22 and left behind a legacy of inspiration, a loving family and far-reaching friendships.
A partnership between QUT, Sony Music Entertainment Australia, Nova Radio 106.9, and the Brisbane Broncos, the scholarship covers first-year tuition fees for a student undertaking a Bachelor of Entertainment Industries, Journalism, or Music.
Associate Professor Christy Collis, head of the entertainment industries course at QUT, said it was a privilege to be involved in creating the scholarship.
"We're honoured to be a part of the QUT Amy Clough Scholarship, which continues Amy's legacy by supporting students whose lives have been personally affected by cancer," Professor Collis said.
"I congratulate Libby Grant of becoming the third recipient of the scholarship. It has previously been awarded to Katie O'Hagan (2013) and Thomas Henderson (2014).
A photo of Libby is available for download on flickr
Media contact:
Amanda Weaver, QUT Media, 07 3138 9449, amanda.weaver@qut.edu.au
After hours: Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901, media@qut.edu.au
