Scholarships Search The Ruby Scholarship

The Ruby Scholarship

This scholarship has been established from the estate of Ruby Stevens' daughter Lynette. It is a legacy to Ruby and her family and is testament to the importance of good education, a lesson that Ruby Stevens learnt early in her life and ensured was passed on to her husband and children.

Ruby Stevens Ruby Catherine STEVENS was born in 1909 and is the oldest of five children. Her father enlisted in the Australian Army in 1915 and was sent overseas to Egypt, leaving her mother to rear four children under the age of six years by herself. Her father returned from active service to Australia in 1916. Following his return, two of Ruby’s brothers died (one aged six years and one at birth). Ruby’s father passed away in 1920 and her mother remarried in 1921. Sometime during this period Ruby and two remaining siblings were placed into care. In November 1925, Ruby passed her Junior Public Certificate through the University of Queensland. She then attended lectures at the Queensland College of Pharmacy and Chemistry, passing her examinations in November 1930 at 21 years of age.

Ruby married Gus in 1937 in Herberton, where she was working as a Chemist. Gus was born in 1903 in Herberton. His father, one of 14 children, emigrated from Southern Ireland in 1881 along with three of his sisters. His father married a girl from Northern Ireland in 1892; she had arrived in Australia in 1889. They settled on the Atherton Tablelands. Gus’ father was illiterate and worked as a miner in the Herberton area.

After their marriage, Ruby assisted her husband Gus in furthering his education. He became an engineer on the boats plying the Cairns to Thursday Island route. Their four children (three boys and a girl) were born in the Atherton Tablelands and Mossman area.

Ruby continued working full time as a Chemist whilst raising their four children. She worked in pharmacies throughout Herberton, Cairns, Mosman, and Townsville. Ruby ensured each of their children received a high school education, with two of them receiving a more advanced education. Donald, the eldest, registered as a Pharmacist in 1964, and Lynette completed studies towards a Speech and Drama Licentiate (1965); an Associate Diploma in Rehabilitation Counselling (1977); a Bachelor of Arts (from James Cook University, 1982); and later studied towards a Graduate Diploma in Psychology (uncompleted).

Gus and Ruby’s life together was not without tragedy. Their second-born son, Daniel, passed away at age 27. Gus passed in 1968 at 64 years. Their first-born son, Donald, who worked as a Pharmacist in Gladstone, died accidentally in 1972 at age 34, whilst the youngest Leahy son, Michael, died in 1978 due to mental health issues at age 33 years. Being the only two remaining family members, Ruby and her daughter Lynette drew much strength from each other and had a wonderful relationship up until Ruby’s death in 1987, at 78 years old.

Ruby, Lynette and Dorothy Lynette had been a Senior Vocational Counsellor prior to her mother’s death and returned to this work in Tamworth and Darwin, returning to Townsville in 1989. Working in Townsville, Lynette met Dorothy Vardy and the two became firm friends. Lynette and Dorothy travelled extensively together in their later years, they were both interested in culture and the arts. Lynette passed away in 2019, at age 76 years.

This scholarship is subject to the provisions of the James Cook University Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy

Student Type	Undergraduate student aged 25 and over (at time of closing date)
Area of Study	Bachelor of Pharmacy Bachelor of Psychological Science Bachelor of Social Work
Total Value	$4,000
Duration	1 Year
Applications Open	7 May 2025
Applications Close	29 May 2025 - Midday

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The Ruby Scholarship is open for you to apply if you:

Are a domestic students, i.e. Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of a permanent visa; and
Are currently enrolled full time (min 9 credit points) in either Bachelor of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Psychological Science or Bachelor of Social Work; and
Have completed 24cps in your current course; and
Have a minimum GPA of 4.0; and
Have a home address located within the region outlined in the map below. From Mackay and upwards of North Queensland; and
Are 25 years or older by the close date; and
Have not previously completed a degree/masters program; and
Are experiencing financial hardship.

Eligibility Map

The value of the scholarship shall be $4,000 paid in one lump sum after awarding of the scholarship. Please allow up to 4 weeks after awarding for payment.

Applications must be submitted on the official application form no later than the date set by the Selection Committee for the year in which the award is to be made. Applicants must submit with the official form, where appropriate:

A copy of your academic record from any other academic institution; and
Written Statement of no more than 500 words outlining:
1. A little about you;
2. Your motivations to study your degree program
3. The impact this scholarship will have on your ability to complete your degree.
Documented evidence of financial hardship based on your answers in the application questions; and
Any other supporting documentation that would assist the Selection Committee in developing an opinion as to the merit of your application.

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.

The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquires as to the applicant's good character and suitability to receive the scholarship, which includes authorisation for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant's academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Your application is checked for completeness and eligibility, and you will receive an email confirmation it has been received. After the closing date it will be individually assessed and put forward to a selection committee who will rank your application against others who have applied. Applicants may be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

Introduction

This scholarship is subject to the provisions of James Cook University’s Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy.

Value and payment of the scholarship

The value of the scholarship shall be $4,000 paid in one lump sum after awarding of the scholarship. Please allow up to 4 weeks after awarding for payment.

Eligibility Criteria

The Ruby Scholarship is open for you to apply if you:

Are a domestic student, i.e., Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of a permanent visa; and
Are currently enrolled full time (min 9 credit points) in either Bachelor of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Psychological Science or Bachelor of Social Work; and
Have completed 24cps in your current course; and
Have a minimum GPA of 4.0; and
Have a home address located within the region outlined in the map below. From Mackay and upwards of North Queensland; and
Are 25 years or older by the close date; and
Have not previously completed a degree/master’s program; and
Are experiencing financial hardship.

Eligibility Map

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria are:

Degree of financial hardship; and
Motivation to study; and
Academic merit; and
Any other criteria that the Selection Committee deems appropriate.

Application Procedures

A copy of your academic record from any other academic institution; and
Written Statement of no more than 500 words outlining:
1. A little about you;
2. Your motivations to study your degree program
3. The impact this scholarship will have on your ability to complete your degree.
Documented evidence of financial hardship based on your answers in the application questions; and
Any other supporting documentation that would assist the Selection Committee in developing an opinion as to the merit of your application.

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.

The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquiries as to the applicant’s good character and suitability to receive the scholarship, which includes authorisation for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant’s academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Selection Process

The award of the scholarship will be made in the absolute discretion of the Selection Committee, which shall comprise:

A representative from Pharmacy; and
A representative from Social Work; and
A representative from Psychology.

The Selection Committee reserves the right:

Not to award a Scholarship in any year if, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, there is no candidate of sufficient merit to warrant an award;

The Selection committee will be responsible for shortlisting and/or interviewing of candidates.

The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the selection of the Scholarship awardee.

Conditions of the Scholarship

At the end of the academic year, a written report must be submitted to the scholarships office, the template will be sent to you.
If the recipient defers their study, the recipient will no longer be eligible for the award.
If the recipient of the award takes an official leave of absence the award will be terminated.
If the holder of the award does not meet the ongoing eligibility requirements the award will be terminated.
A student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Appeals Policy.

Administration of the Scholarship

The scholarship shall be administered by the scholarships office, on behalf of the Selection Committee.

The funds of the scholarship shall be held in an account in the name of the University and shall be administered by the officer of the University charged with administering the scholarship.

Where an award provides some benefit to the recipient from a body external to the University, or an obligation upon a body external to the University, the University, its servants and agents, shall not be liable for that benefit or obligation

Please refer to Glossary of Terms.

The Ruby Scholarship

About Ruby Stevens

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