AFGW (Australian Federation of Graduate Women), also known as ‘The Graduates’ is an organisation promoting the advancement of education for rural women, by funding scholarships and prizes.
Each year a Scholarship of $1000 is given to the female rural student with the highest ATAR and the Dr Barbara Wright
Postgraduate Scholarship to the value of $4000 is awarded every second year to a female student undergoing a postgraduate degree.
The funding is made possible by generous donations as well as functions held during each year.
President Alison Biddulph presented her annual report at the annual general meeting held prior to the luncheon at The Japanese Gardens on Sunday August 8.
Four functions had been held during the year with guest speakers Caroline Jones, Dr Irina Pollard, Mr Philip Bailey and Julia Andrews from Canowindra. President Alison thanked her supportive committee for their enthusiasm, making the year the success it was.
Election of officers took place with Mrs Alison Biddulph of “Lyndon” Canowindra re-elected as President.
Vice Presidents are Jean Mary Fagan of Cowra and Marianne Payten of Cowra.
Secretary re-elected is Anne Holloway and treasurer is Maureen Knight. Archivist is Marie Daley. Publicity Officer is Sue Brown. Dr Lois Foster is Post-Graduate Scholarship Co-ordinator.
Other members elected to committee are Pat Burnheim, Betty Carroll, Pamela Heikkinen, Jenny White and Uma Kumar.
Dr Lois Foster introduced guest speaker Alicia Dawson, prize winner of the Post Graduate Scholarship awarded in 2006.
Alicia is a registered psychologist, totally dedicated to working in regional NSW.
Alicia did her Undergraduate Degree at the Charles Sturt University Bathurst while doing volunteer work for the Bathurst Community Centre.
Now working full time at this Bathurst centre, Alicia is commencing her Master’s Degree with a pilot study to assist children aged 7 to 10 years whose parents have identified as being anxious and or depressed with a low view of their ability to do any activity.
Previous treatment for such conditions has included Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), physical exercise and dance therapy.
Alicia has been a dance teacher for 11 years, enjoys working with children in a clinical setting (‘I get paid to play with children’) and is a smiling, happy confident role model for unhappy children who ‘don’t know how to play’.
‘Happiness workshops’ are what Alicia calls these sessions as children develop worthwhile lifelong skills.
The pilot study ‘Jidda Jive ’designed by Alicia Dawson will involve 30 children aged 7 to 10 randomly assigned to three groups for an eight week session.
Alicia defines Jidda Jive as a ‘dance and psychotherapy group intervention for children with anxiety, depression and low self-efficacy’.
In thanking Alicia, Vice President Marianne Payten spoke for all those present in wishing Alicia every success in her project and in gaining her Master’s Degree.
The AFGW Central Branch is inviting members and guests to their next function on Sunday October 10, a luncheon at Old Vic Canowindra with guest speaker the lawyer, Christine McIntosh.
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