Brianna wins inaugural Wynne Costley Research Scholarship
Brianna Walker receives the Wynne Costley Research Scholarship award from National Council of Women Whanganui branch president Jenny Saywood.
Photo / Supplied
Whanganui High School student Brianna Walker has won the inaugural Wynne Costley Research Scholarship.
The award was presented at a function organised by the Whanganui branch of the National Council of Women (NCW) to celebrate the 125th anniversary of women's suffrage.
Wynne Costley, a long-time member of NCW, a teacher of English, Latin and French, and a staunch advocate for women, believed strongly in encouraging students to aim high academically.
The scholarship was open to all students who had completed a research assignment during the year on a New Zealand woman, or women, who has contributed or is still contributing in a distinctly definable way to society, Whanganui branch president Jenny Saywood said.
Subjects chosen by the Whanganui High, Whanganui Collegiate and Whanganui Intermediate school students included Kate Sheppard, Jean Batten, Dr Emily Siedeberg and Lesley Elliot.
The senior prizewinners were Brianna Walker (1), Hannah Lawler (2) and Rhian Robertson (merit) with Olivia Bedwell and Sophie Bedwell placed equal first in the junior section.
Brianna was the overall winner, receiving $500 and a trophy in addition to the $500 for winning the senior category.
"If Wynne had been here she would have been thrilled to think that her branch of NCWNZ were recognising the endeavours of these bright young women," Saywood said.
Brianna, 17, wrote her essay about Kate Sheppard and the suffrage movement.
"I thought it was a really significant event for our country," Brianna said.
"It's really important to our history and world history in general. I'm proud that our country allowed women to have that right to vote.
"I was overwhelmed because I didn't think I'd win. I'm really grateful that I had the opportunity to win it because it will help a lot next year when I go to university."
Brianna will study law at Victoria University of Wellington and plans a career in criminal law.
To acknowledge the 125th year of suffrage, NCW put together a display of Whanganui women, some relatively unknown, who were involved around the time of the suffrage movement and made a significant contribution to the Whanganui community.
Margaret Campion, who did the research, spoke at the function about some aspects of the women's work.
By Sue Dudman
Whanganui Chronicle 20/10/18
Winners announced for the Wynne Costley Research Scholarship
(River City Press article 25/10/18)
The Whanganui Branch of National Council of Women recently held an evening to celebrate the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage and at the same time, award participants in the Inaugural Wynne Costley Research Scholarship.
Wynne Costley was a long -time member of NCWNZ, a teacher of English, Latin and French and a staunch advocate for women who believed strongly in encouraging students to aim high academically.
The Scholarship was open to all students who had completed a research assignment during the year on a New Zealand woman or women in society, who have or still are contributing in a distinctly definable way to society.
Seven young women from Whanganui High School, Whanganui Collegiate and Whanganui Intermediate School, their parents and teachers attended the evening along with National Council of Women members. They were welcomed by the President of the local branch, Jenny Saywood who commented that, “If Wynne had been here she would have been thrilled to think that her branch of NCWNZ was recognising the endeavours of these bright young women”.
Subjects chosen by the students in their assignments included Kate Shepherd, Jean Batten, Dr Emily Siedeberg and Lesley Elliot and the standard of the research was very high.
Prize winners were:
Seniors: Briana Walker - 1st, Hannah Lawler - 2nd, Rhian Robertson - Merit.
Juniors: 1st equal Olivia Bedwell and Sophie Bedwell.
Overall Winner: Briana Walker.
To acknowledge the 125th year of Suffrage, NCW put together a display of Whanganui women, some relatively unknown, who were involved in the Suffrage movement or shortly afterwards and had made a significant contribution to the Whanganui community. Margaret Campion was responsible for the research involved in this display and spoke during the evening of some of the interesting aspects of these women’s work.
River City Press 25/10/18
