Occupational therapist student Gabriella Kerlin awarded bursary
10 July 2025
An aspiring occupational therapist will benefit from a $1000 bursary offered by Leader of The Nationals and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud, through the National Council of Women in Queensland (NCWQ).
Gabriella Kerlin from Swan Creek in the Southern Downs said she will use this year’s bursary to assist her while studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at UniSQ in Toowoomba.
“The opportunity to remain close to my community and home at Swan Creek, while pursuing my studies, has been invaluable,” Ms Kerlin said.
“This support will not only help ease the financial pressures faced by regional students like me but also enable me to focus on the kind of student and occupational therapist I aspire to be. It will help cover costs such as travel to and from campus, as well as tuition.
“I am passionate about supporting communities like the one I grew up in. I hope to one day be able to provide occupational therapy services to people in rural areas who lack easy access to such support.”
As part of the program, the bursary recipient must be a Maranoa constituent and a female, first-year, full-time student undertaking a tertiary course, who may need to move away from their home to pursue further study. Mr Littleproud said the bursary offered since 2017 each year has helped country students pursue their dreams, providing much-needed financial support.
“I am pleased to help support Gabriella because it’s so important for the next generation of young women to pursue education and also have the opportunity to return home or stay home and have a career that also benefits to regional communities,” Mr Littleproud said.
“I am happy to sponsor a bursary through the NCWQ for a young woman living in Maranoa and I thank the NCWQ for their involvement once again. I congratulate Gabriella and wish her all the best.”
For more information about the NCWQ’s bursary program visit NCWQ Inc
