Lisbeth Hopkins OAM Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 2020 by Alumni Friends of The University of Queensland Inc. under the Create Change Scholarship Match Initiative and maintained by distribution of the Lisbeth Hopkins OAM Scholarship Endowment. Alumni Friends of The University of Queensland Inc. dates back to 1967, when UQ sponsored the formation of an association to foster relationships with UQ alumni.

Lisbeth Hopkins OAM (1920 – 2009) was a philanthropist and volunteer in the truest sense. She was the first woman from northwest Queensland to go to university, and would go on to be awarded the English Literature Prize from UQ. She would earn a BA while studying English Literature and Ancient History. Throughout her life she was an active fundraiser, particularly for Women’s College. She was president of the Old Girls’ Association and on the College Council for 34 years (1957 – 1993), and was heavily involved in her children’s schools. She was also active in the UQ Alumni Association (now UQ Alumni Friends Society) and would later establish the UQ Alumni Book Fair, a regular feature in the university calendar that raised money for the Association. The first book fair in 1979 earned a $19,000 profit, and continues to run to this day. She would receive an OAM and the UQ Alumni Distinguished Service Medal for her contributions to the UQ community through the book fair and other philanthropic ventures. In recognition for her deep commitment to philanthropy, her work in advancing educational opportunities (particularly for women) and the transformational success of the Book Fair, the UQ Alumni Friends established this scholarship.