The John & Beryl Neilsen Winchester Foundation was established in 2011 with its ethos being to “Create Education Opportunities for Country Children”.
At the heart of The Winchester Foundation is Mrs Beryl Neilsen, who with the support of her fellow Trustees, Cliff Flor and John Formosa, award scholarships to country children attending High School and University.
Since the first scholarships were awarded in 2012, there have been a total of 387 given out to date. With the exception of 2020, Mrs Neilsen has hosted an annual luncheon for past and present scholarship recipients and their families at Winchester Downs. This event, now referred to as “Winchester Day”, is a great opportunity to recognise the academic achievements of recipients and provides students with the chance to personally thank Mrs Neilsen for her generosity.
In addition to providing scholarships to students, 2013 saw the Winchester Foundation expand its charitable activities as it commenced bringing primary school students to the annual Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival, which is held at Whitsunday Anglican School’s campus in Mackay. Since 2013 the Foundation has covered the cost of admission to the festival, accommodation, food, transport for over 3,200 students. Each student who attends the festival is also given their own Winchester shirt.
In June 2021 Mrs Neilsen was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for service to the community through her charitable organisation, namely the Winchester Foundation. In addition to providing scholarships and bringing the Winchester Foundation schools to Whitsunday Voices, the Foundation has also been a main sponsor for the annual Isolated Children’s and Parents’ Association Conference since 2014.
Mrs Neilsen was officially awarded her OAM at a ceremony which took place at Government House in Brisbane on 21st September 2021.
As a long-standing client of the firm and we would like to sincerely congratulate Mrs Neilsen on this achievement. It is through the support of Mrs Neilsen and the Winchester Foundation that countless country kids have been given the same opportunity to further their education that many children from metropolitan areas take for granted.
