Gould League of NSW Scholarship

The purpose of this scholarship is to provide teachers, tertiary students and environmental educators, with financial assistance (up to $1500) to attend the AAEE National or NSW state annual conference or an equivalent professional learning activity. To be eligible for the award applicants must be able to demonstrate they are upholding the values of the Gould League.

The scholarship is a legacy left by the Gould League of NSW to assist future environmental and sustainable educators in their learning and to develop their skills and knowledge in environmental education and learning for sustainability.

Applications for the 2013 Gould League of NSW Scholarship are now open! 

Click here to download the 2013 Application Form. Applications close at the end of Term 3 - 28th June.

Background

For 100 years the Gould League of NSW (originally Gould League of Bird Lovers) was an institution in NSW public schools. The organisation originated at Wellington Public School in 1910 as the idea of a young teacher, Walter Finigan, and his head master Edward Webster,. It grew quickly and was established state wide in the same year. The Gould League has contributed over time to the field of bird study, nature study, natural science, conservation and environmental education in NSW and Australia.

In the early years of the Gould League there was no other organisation dedicated to the preservation and study of birds and being able to relate that to students in a practical way. It was a natural progression that the Gould League of NSW branched out and became a pioneer organisation in public schools for environmental education.

The Gould League also had a strong voice in the forming of environmental policy and influencing opinions on environmental issues in the wider community. But most people would remember their introduction to the Gould League through their membership and pledge to the environment, and gaining the benefits of practical learning in their primary education.

In 2010 the Gould League of NSW celebrated its centenary at Wellington Public School in central NSW where it had started. It was decided that the Gould League NSW had reached an end of an era and that Environmental Education had come a long way in those 100 years, so the NSW Chapter of Gould League has wrapped up. “This scholarship will provide an enduring reminder of the early beginnings of Environmental Education in NSW and Australia”. (Gould League History, David Tribe)

Guidelines

Applications from AAEE members that work with teachers or students in NSW primary and secondary schools will be accepted for the award. Students studying Environmental and Sustainability subjects in tertiary institutions are also welcome to apply.

Selection Criteria and applicant details.

The criteria for the scholarship, which should be addressed in your application, are:

• Name, role and contact details and Gould League values demonstrated
• Must be a current membership of AAEE
• Details of the conference / program you wish to attend including registration cost, transport and accommodation
• Details of the actual experience in supporting environmental education or education for sustainability and subsequent actions you have taken and how this relates to future projects you are proposing
• How this professional development opportunity will be beneficial to you
• Demonstrate how you will pass on your learning from the conference to your school community.
• How young people from your organisation will benefit from your attendance.   
• Preference will be given to those applicants that have not previously received this award.

Recipients of the scholarship are required to submit a report which can be used in the AAEE and other environment media about the PD opportunity.

Scholarship Acquittal

A Post Conference report addressing the following question must be submitted within 3 months after the conference and may be used in AAEE publications. The topic you are asked to address is:

"How the experience enhanced your current work and any ideas, skills and strategies that you learnt from the conference experience and how you have shared them with others."

Contact Details

Please submit your application via email to Sue Martin exec@aaeensw.org.au by end Term 3, 28th June. The decision will be made by the Gould League Scholarship panel to a worthy AAEE member who clearly addresses all the selection criteria.

Further Information

Nell Graham

Ph: (02) 9789 9422

E: nellg@canterbury.nsw.gov.au