Brad Nichols scholarship terms and conditions

​1. ESTABLISHMENT

The Bradley Nichols Memorial Scholarship was established in 2009 to honour the significant
contribution that Brad Nichols made to the University of Newcastle community, through his
involvement in business, sporting and community organisations. Brad was a partner at Forsythes,
specialising in taxation, when he tragically died at age 33.
Brad was a Chartered Accountant and graduate of the University of Newcastle and was a tutor in the
Faculty of Business and Law. Brad excelled at sport and had a passion for rugby union, playing with the
Wanderers Rugby Club for many years where he also acted as Assistant Treasurer. Brad worked with
many community organisations including the Samaritans, Red Kite and the Newcastle chapter of the
Property Council. One of Brad’s greatest skills was his ability to balance career, sporting community
and family commitments, while having fun and making people laugh.
The Bradley Nichols Memorial Scholarship seeks to support a talented all-rounder student who
demonstrates the qualities that were held by Brad. Donors to this scholarship include Forsythes
Training, Delbridge Forensic Accounting, PKF Newcastle and Maxim Advisors, with links to those firms
via partners of Brad during his time at Forsythes.
This Scholarship aims to support students who are committed to their local communities and are
striving to make a difference. They are the type of student who:
- Volunteers with their sporting club, charities or community service providers in their
communities;
- Volunteers in their field of study or engage in extra-curricular work to further research
outcomes;
- Helps to organise and implement sporting or community projects;
- Mentors fellow students at University;
- Creates unique and innovative solutionsto local problems;
- Runs clubs and societies for the benefit of other students or participating in wider industry
bodies;
- Works to ensure environmental sustainability of our local areas;
- Works to make the community a better place for future generations;
- Displays leadership qualities generally in the way they live their lives.
In 2023 and 2024 the Scholarship will be offered to a student who is a player member of the
Wanderers Rugby Club and also meets the eligibility criteria detailed herein.

2. DEFINITIONS
"Donor" or “Sponsor” means Forsythes Training, Delbridge Forensic Accounting, PKF Newcastle
and Maxim Advisors and their nominated representative;
"Program" means the program of study in which the scholar is enrolled; "Scholar" means a recipient of a scholarship;
"Scholarship" means Bradley Nichols Memorial Community Leadership Scholarship; "UON" means the University of Newcastle.

3. ELIGIBILITY
3.1 To be eligible to apply for this scholarship an applicant must be enrolled at the University of
Newcastle and meet the following criteria:
3.1.1 Be enrolled in 2 and or 3rd year of an undergraduate degree at the University of

Newcastle;
3.1.2 Ideally be enrolled in program in a program in the Faculty of Business and Law,
majoring in Accounting or Finance;
3.1.3 Be actively involved in the University or local community;
3.1.4 Be enrolled either full-time or part-time;
3.1.5 Demonstrate academic achievement by a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.0
(Credit average) for continuing students;
3.1.6 Not be the recipient of another UON Donor funded or sponsored scholarship
concurrently.

4. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
4.1 The following documentation must be submitted with the scholarship application:
4.1.1 A written statement demonstrating your commitment to leadership at University
and/or within your sporting club or local community, as well as your career aspirations
and how this scholarship would assist you.
4.1.2 Any documents which support the claims in your written statement, such as a
reference, proof of volunteering and community activities, club membership,
articles and publications etc.
4.1.3 Academic transcript.
4.2 Any applicant that does not submit the required documentation, including documentary
evidence, will not be considered for selection.

5. SELECTION
5.1 Selection is a competitive process and will be based on assessment of the scholarship
application and any required supporting documents. Applications will be ranked against the
criteria outlined in clauses 3 and 4.
5.2 The selection of the scholar will be made by a Selection Committee comprised of members of the
Donor group, who will invite applicants to participate in an in person interview (or video link if not
practical to meet in person).
5.5 Where there are no eligible scholarship applicants after a maximum of two rounds per year
then the scholarship will not be offered for that year.


6. CONDITION OF AWARD
6.1 The scholarship is tenable for one (1) year. The scholarship must be taken up in the year for
which it was awarded, unless otherwise specified.
6.2 The scholar shall continue to meet all eligibility criteria specified in clause 3.0 of these
conditions and any other specified requirements for the duration of the scholarship unless
special consideration is approved under 10.0.
6.3 This scholarship is subject to semester review. Continuation of the scholarship and payment
of the scholarship benefit are subject to the scholar maintaining satisfactory academic
progress, that is, a Grade Point Average (GPA) of [5.0] or higher, and continuing to meet the
eligibility criteria of the scholarship. Documentary evidence may be requested to confirm
ongoing eligibility.
6.4 This scholarship may be reserved or deferred for an approved period as outlined in clause 8.
Withdrawal from studies after payment of the scholarship in any semester may affect the
scholar’s eligibility for scholarship payment in the following semester.
6.5 The scholar shall not be required by the donor or the University to undertake employment as
a condition of awarding of the scholarship.
6.6 The scholar will make themselves available for an official presentation ceremony at an
appropriate event.

7. BENEFIT
7.1 If awarded in Semester One, the scholarship currently provides a benefit of $5,000 to be
paid as two lump sums of $2,500 after Semester One and Semester Two census dates.
7.2 If awarded in Semester Two, the scholarship currently provides a benefit of $2,500 to be
paid as a lump sum of $2,500 after Semester Two census date.
7.3 The scholarship benefit and number of scholarships awarded may vary and will be
determined by the funding available each year.

8. PERIODS OF LEAVE
A scholar may apply in writing to reserve or defer the scholarship benefit because of illness, injury
or other extenuating circumstances. An application must be supported by appropriate
documentary evidence. Periods of approved leave or deferral must not exceed two consecutive
semesters of study and shall not reduce the tenure of the scholarship. All applications for periods of
leave must be submitted to the Scholarships Office of UON within the affected semester of study.

9. TERMINATION
9.1 A scholarship shall terminate before its due date of conclusion when:
9.1.1 the scholar ceases to meet the eligibility criteria in clause 3;
9.1.2 the maximum duration of the scholarship has been reached;
9.1.3 the scholar completes study and/or ceases to be a student of the University;
9.1.4 the University determines that the scholar has committed serious misconduct; or
9.1.5 the scholar fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
When termination is likely due to clause 9.1.5, the UON Office of Alumni and Philanthropy will
be advised prior to termination occurring and will undertake the most appropriate action in
consultation with the Donor/Sponsor and Student Central.

10. SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
Where a scholar cannot meet the conditions of the scholarship due to illness, injury or other
extenuating circumstances, they may apply in writing to the scholarships office. Applications must be
supported by appropriate documentary evidence and a decision will be made in consultation with the
Office of Alumni & Philanthropy.

11. PRIVACY
By applying for this scholarship the student understands that this is a donor-funded
scholarship and as such an external donor (or representative) may view their application,
supporting documents evidencing their eligibility and ongoing academic progression.