The Gold Coast Branch is the oldest established branch having being formed in 1978 in Queensland. It meets regularly; has a number of special interest groups and a very dynamic social program. The Branch awards bursaries annually to promising female students who have excelled in the fields of education, social sciences and community leadership and to support women to further their education.
For further information about the Branch or to join, please contact President Dianne Cecil.
Bursaries (see Awards Page for details):
* Isobel Taylor Award (Presented to top education student at Griffith University Gold Coast Campus)
* Sybil A M Vise Award (Presented to top social sciences student Bond University)
* Dr Mary Crawford Award (Presented to top student for Community Leadership – Southern Cross University – Gold Coast Campus)
Australian Graduate Women Inc. (AGW Inc.)
AGW Inc. is the national voice of graduate women, promoting the advancement of women and equality of opportunity through initiatives in education, friendship and peace.
Graduate Women International (GWI)
The International Federation of University Women (IFUW) was founded in 1919 by women who believed in the importance of working together for peace, international understanding and friendship.
In 2015, IFUW launched its new name of Graduate Women International (GWI). The contemporary title more accurately reflects the organisation’s inclusive membership, and dynamism across advocacy, projects, fellowships and grants. GWI continues to advocate in favour of secondary, higher and continuing education for women all over the world.
Dianne Cecil – President
Dianne started her career as a Primary School Teacher, graduating from Kelvin Grove Teachers’ College, Brisbane and retired after teaching at many different Primary schools within Queensland, other states and in United Kingdom.
She and her husband retired to acreage in the Gold Coast hinterland where Dianne was able to be pursue her passion for Art. Thus, her second career started after completing a B.of Fine Art at QCA – Griffith University. Now she teaches watercolour painting on cruise ships, is a tutor at U3A and teaches privately.
Dianne has held the position of Chairperson for the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society – Gold Coast and now that she is living on the Gold Coast she is a member of Probus Club, Paradise Point, plays Bridge and is presently undertaking a B. of Arts, majoring in Art History at University of Queensland.
Dianne is a committee member of GWQ and is President of GWQ – Gold Coast Branch. She is particularly interested in education for women of all ages and believes that education is beneficial and necessary for all women for their future.
CAROL LITTLE – Immediate Past President
Carol began her career with a Multi National Company in Sydney as a Statistical Analyst and moved on to Accountancy. She moved, with her Husband, to the Gold Coast in 1974. There were very few career options on the Gold Coast for women in those days and with starting a family as well she realised she needed a career change and so completed a Diploma of Education while also working for the Gold Coast City Council in the accounts and statistical areas. She taught in several Gold Coast Schools before completing her Masters Degree in Education and becoming a Deputy Principal. Since leaving the school system she has worked as a consultant in the field of Education. She is involved in several associations .
M Ed , Dip Ed , B Com , MACE
TESOL Certificate
JOAN JENNINGS – Book Interest Group Convenor
Joan was a Secondary English teacher in NSW for the previous 20 years before she retired in the year 2000. She and her husband Bill moved to Runaway Bay Gold Coast QLD in 2004. They have three adult children. Joan is is a bookworm. A member of Graduate women in both NSW and QLD for more than 60 years she has served as president and treasurer for Illawarra Branch in NSW and treasurer and book club convenor at various times for Gold Coast Branch.
ELAINE ELLIS – Committee Member
Elaine Ellis came from Canada in 1974. She completed a B. Spec. Ed. from Flinders University, Adelaide in 1978. Elaine moved permanently to the Gold Coast in Jan. 1978 and joined The Aust. Fed. of University Women, Gold CoastBranch. She was honoured to serve as Sec. and twice as Pres. of our organization, now known as Graduate Women Gold Coast Inc. Elaine was a Learning Support teacher in several schools on the Gold Coast. She also used her music qualifications to assist with choirs and piano accompaniment at Eisteddfods at the Gold Coast Art Centre (now HOTA). She often provided musical entertainment for Graduate Women’s Christmas functions. Elaine was proud to represent Qld. on Teacher Exchange in Dorset, England in 1992. She has long been a supporter of women’s education and is pleased to rejoin the Gold Coast Committee of Graduate Women Inc.
Margaret Hamilton – Secretary
My father was a bank manager and as a child I attended 7 different primary schools. I was sent to boarding school aged 12 and was a boarder for four years . After senior, I completed one year of training at Kelvin Grove Teachers College and was appointed to Cairns Central State School for four years. I have worked at Miami High as a classroom teacher then had five years at Keebra Park as a Teacher Librarian. I completed a Graduate Certificate of Teacher Librarianship at Griffith Gold Coast. I then completed an Education Degree with Griffith and then a Masters Degree in Education Studies. I left teaching after four more years at Benowa High to go travelling with my husband when he decided to retire. In all I taught for 27 years.
Education has always been a large part of my life and has helped me to weather many challenges and disappointments. Graduate Women Gold Coast aims to help girls who may need some help to achieve their educational goals. To me, the opportunity to become educated, for women, is of real importance. I have two step sons and four grandchildren and I was always grateful for the encouragement my husband gave me to achieve my goals.
