The Returned & Services League of Australia (Queensland branch), with the support of Bond University, is offering half a million dollars worth of grants to Queensland high school students for excellence in academic work, sporting and community contribution.
Applications for the 2009 RSL Youth Development Program are now open for current high achieving year 10 and 11 high school students.
More than 140 grants will be handed out with each grant worth between $2,600 and $5,200.
RSL (Qld Branch) State President Doug Formby says the RSL Youth Development Program was designed to encourage school students to develop pride in, and loyalty to, the nation.
"As well as offering an outstanding educational opportunity, we hope these grants will promote awareness amongst Australia’s youth of the sacrifices our veterans have made, and of the ANZAC values they strived to defend – those values of courage, mateship, determination, humour and ingenuity.
"RSL Queensland believes in nurturing and investing in Australia’s youth to ensure that the strength, vitality and security of our nation is enhanced and preserved," Mr Formby said.
Bond University Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Stable believes the program can help to encourage national pride in Queensland’s youth while acknowledging hard work.
"Through partnering with the RSL to deliver this program, we hope to educate young Australians about the sacrifices of our nation’s servicemen, while rewarding some of Queensland’s highest achieving students with the financial assistance and support they need to bring their ambitions to life," Professor Stable said.
Grants will be awarded for achievement in the following categories: Academic Achievement; Sporting Achievement; and Community Leadership and Civic Participation.
Winners will also receive an exclusive invitation to attend the leadership forum weekend at Bond University in 2009.
Applications can be lodged online via www.RSLyouth.com.au, where students will be required to highlight their achievements to date, submit a RSL reference, and write an essay about the importance of the RSL and ANZAC values to Australia’s youth.
Applications close Tuesday, November 11, 2008 with grant winners being announced in December 2008.
Sir Richard Branson, head of international brand Virgin, flew into the centre of the Bond campus for an hour-long question and answer session on Sunday 30 March.
The Honourable Justice Michael Kirby AC of the High Court officiated the April 11 launch of Bond University's new Centre for Forensic Excellence - the first forensics research centre in Australia that draws together the inter-disciplinary fields of science, law and criminology.
Bond University now offers the broadest range of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Accredited programs in Australia, after being welcomed as a Partner University by the internationally respected professional body. 
Bond University and the Asian Development Bank have partnered with the Commonwealth Secretariat to deliver a Public-Private Partnerships Leadership Program (from April 7 – 12) to senior government officials from developing Pacific nations, designed to improve cost savings and efficiency in public service delivery in the region. 
Family businesses are fast becoming a powerhouse to be reckoned with, according to Bond University Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Family Business, Dr Justin Craig.
A team of outstanding Bond University students has taken out fourth place in the Global Management Challenge international final in Bucharest, Romania, held April 15 – 16.
Our achievements and accolades this month range from MBA students representing Australia on the world-stage in global business planning competitions to Law staff and students contributing to the successful petition for a re-hearing of Graham Stafford's case to try and overturn his 16-year-old murder conviction. We also recognise the efforts of Mrs Dee Leadbetter, Professor Patrick Keyzer and students Bridie Jabour, Sarah Flomersfeld and Jessica Golding. 
I was particularly saddened to hear of the passing of the former Chancellor of the University of Sydney, the Hon. Kim Santow AO, this month. 
The student residences have been alive with the sound of a very different kind of music lately.
Bond University student, Annabelle Williams, has been chosen to represent Australia at the Paralympic Games in Beijing later this year.
