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The Queensland Overseas Foundation (QOF) is a voluntary non-profit organisation that is sponsored by Queensland Industry and supported by the State Government. The QOF provides overseas travelling scholarships to specially selected people who have completed their formal training through an Australian Apprenticeship or an accredited vocational qualification. The Foundation was established in 1976 and operates through a Board of Governors representing a range of industries and expertise. Since 1976 the Queensland Overseas Foundation has supported over 100 Queensland tradespersons to hone their skills internationally, and to bring global best practice back to Queensland industry. The recipients of these scholarships are competitively selected following an interview by the Foundation’s Governors, and are of the highest technical calibre in the State, supported by suitable personality and outlook. They are highly recommended as being suitable for employment in their appropriate area and all have achieved a high level of distinction during the course of their training. The QOF scholarships help recipients to broaden their outlook and technical experience through a combination of intensive on-the-job training and general work experience, together with the opportunity to pursue further advanced studies, where appropriate. “As a result of my international experience I am in a position that I truly enjoy where I am travelling and working in different places, with different people in different industries on a weekly basis.” - Paul Carruthers, QOF Scholarship Recipient, 1997, Canada “Testing your skills in a new and challenging environment while seeing the world is an investment you just can’t put a dollar sign on.” - Ryan Maslem, QOF Scholarship Recipient, 2007, UK |
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Aysha Oliver, the 2008 QOF Scholarship recipient gives an insight into the competitive world of fashion design in Europe in her latest report... 
Who would have thought the little ‘Aussie’ fashion designer from Brisbane would now be living in the heart of the Fashion world? LONDON! From Brisbane to Dubai to London, then to Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Ireland and finally... London. I can’t believe some of the most amazing places I’ve already visited in the span of 5 months and I wouldn’t have been able to do it if it wasn’t for my QOF scholarship. Lets admit it - London is not easy for fashionistas in the competitive fashion world, but I’m giving it my all, and I feel I am getting further along with my career and goals everyday.  Recently I've been working as a Fashion Assistant Intern for London based label, SYKES. I was so very lucky to attend the SYKES exhibition at London Fashion Week and help out behind the scenes. I was able to see how a fashion presentation was set up for buyers, observe and help in fashion shoots for sites such as Vogue & Style.com and mainly be involved in all the organisation that needs to be done to prepare a seasonal range for exhibiting. Whilst being in the EU I’ve been exposed to so many wonderful exhibitions and a multitude of inspirations - from everyday living, street art, food, fashion markets and what people are wearing on the street. Everyday is a feast for all the senses! My goals are to keep working hard towards a permanent design role and along the way I will keep on pursuing work experience to learn as much as I can. I am determined to succeed and I won’t be coming home until I’ve achieved my goals professionally & personally - this is just too much fun and I feel my journey has only just begun! |
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2009 Queensland Overseas Foundation Awards Ceremony |
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 The 2009 Queensland Overseas Foundation Scholarships were presented on Tuesday, 8th December at Parliment House by the Governor of Queensland, Ms Penelope Wensley AO.
Her Excellency envouraged the scholarship recipients to make the most of the unique opportunity that a Queensland Overseas Foundation Scholarship represents, to "move beyond the comfort of the familiar, and seek to evaluate critically what they learn". She stressed the "importance of being open to new ideas and use them to develop both skills and thinking, so that that they may grow and develop personally to also become leaders in your fields when they return". This years award recipients come very different vocational backgrounds: Abigail Fincham - Fashion Design; Leo Primus - Project Management ; Adam Simmons - Automotive Electrical Technology and Daniel McGaw - Electrotechnology Systems Electrician, and each of them has acheived excellence in their chosen field. It is certain that they will each benefit enormously from their time overseas. Each recipient will be assigned a mentor from the Board of Governors to assist them in formulating a work plan, and provide industry contacts where possilble to assist in their overseas placement. |
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Queensland Overseas Foundation Scholarship Recipient - Motoring in the Middle East |
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 2008 QOF Scholarship recipient, Josh Stemm has continued his successful integration into work and life in Dubai. Josh joined General Motors (GM) Dubai in early 2009 and is going into his second year.
Josh's day-to-day activities range from general mechanical duties, roadtesting new models and dealing with challenging cases and working on key relationships with dealiers across the Gulf region. Josh has relished the opportunity to travel and work across the Middle East in fact,to top it all off, in Dec 2009 he purchased a Hummer H3T in a GM vehicle auction.... what a great way to explore the desert and his surrounds.. Josh commented in his most recent report to the QOF Govenors "Some say I am living the dream at the moment. My response to this is: along with many hours of hard work, I have been fortunate to have the support of so many inspirational and supportive people." If you would like to live the dream like Josh, and use your skills and training aquired in Queensland to take on the world, why not consider a QOF scholarship in 2010. |
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