KEITH GOODWIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS IN ACCOUNTING & BUSINESS

Our Keith Goodwin Memorial Scholarships in Accounting & Business Sponsors

Hosted by the Business Liaison Association (BLA) in partnership with local schools and community stakeholders in Cairns, North Queensland. 

The Business Liaison Association extends its sincere appreciation to BDO, CBC Staff Selections, Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand, CPA Australia, Far North Queensland Youth Assistance Fund (FNQYAF), Halpin Partners Accountants, James Cook University (JCU) and PVW Partners for their valued sponsorship of the Keith Goodwin Memorial Scholarships in Accounting & Business.

Through their ongoing support, we continue to strengthen pathways between education, training, and employment, empowering the next generation of students and future professionals across Far North Queensland.

 

Keith Goodwin
Cairns Mayor 1988-1990

Keith Goodwin was born in Brisbane in 1945. He was a teacher, Director of Adult Education, Brisbane in 1974, and Officer in charge of Cairns TAFE. He was a confident public speaker and was a prominent member of the Jaycees, of which he was national President and also a special adviser to the world president of Jaycees and an Australian senator to Jaycees International.

Goodwin and his Alliance team were elected to the Cairns City Council in 1988, on a platform of ensuring that the city's growth and development were in harmony with the environment and lifestyle of its people. He famously led demonstrations on the Esplanade mudflats to oppose the state government's plans for a multi-million-dollar marina development. In May 1988, he was elected as Chairman of the Queensland Local Government Executive.

He died (in his first term in office) in a plane crash at Mt Emerald on 11 May 1990. The tragedy also claimed the lives of eight other local government members who, with Goodwin, were returning from a conference at Airlie Beach.

Keith Goodwin had a simple creed. He signed his letters, "Keith Goodwin, Cairns, where people make the difference."

 

Overview

The Keith Goodwin Memorial Scholarships are prestigious awards established in honour of Keith Goodwin, former Mayor of Cairns and a passionate advocate for education and commerce.

These scholarships support Year 12 students across Far North Queensland—from Cardwell to the Cape—who demonstrate outstanding achievement and commitment to future studies and careers in accounting, business, commerce, or economics.

Since 1991, the scholarships have recognised Keith Goodwin’s legacy as a former Commercial Studies teacher by enabling students to pursue tertiary education and contribute to the economic development of their communities.

The scholarships aim to:

• Recognise excellence in accounting and business studies
• Support students experiencing financial or personal hardship
• Encourage tertiary study and careers in commerce-related fields
• Strengthen connections between schools, universities, industry, and professional associations

 

Eligibility and Conditions of Entry

Far North Queensland schools may nominate Year 12 students demonstrating excellence in their studies and an intention to undertake tertiary studies in Commerce, Business, or Economics.

To be considered, applicants must:

• Be studying Year 12 Accounting or Business within the FNQ region
• Achieve a minimum B standard or higher in Senior Accounting or Senior Business.
• Have applied to commence tertiary study in 2027 in a business-related discipline (e.g. Accounting, Business, Commerce, Economics)
• Demonstrate a genuine interest in a career in accounting, business, or business education
• Be available to attend an interview, particularly to assess suitability in the context of financial or personal hardship
• Provide evidence of acceptance into a tertiary institution to finalise the award
• Acknowledge that if enrolment is deferred, the Scholarship Committee may withdraw or reallocate the scholarship
• Commit to commencing study in Semester 1, 2027

 

Prize & Bursaries

Award	Prize
Winner Sponsored by BDO	$1400
Second Place Sponsored by Far North Queensland Youth Assistance Fund	$1200
Third Place Sponsored by James Cook University	$1000
First Encouragement Award Sponsored by PVW Partners	$800
Second Encouragement Award Sponsored by Halpin Partners Accountants	$650
Third Encouragement Award Sponsored by CBC Staff Selections	$600
Fourth Encouragement Award Sponsored by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand	$550
Fifth Encouragement Award Sponsored by CPA Australia	$500

Please note: Final prize amounts may vary from those listed above, depending on sponsorship contributions and the number of applicants.

 

 

Closing Date: Thursday 16th July, 2026

Downloads

1. Keith Goodwin Memorial Scholarships in Accounting & Business.pdf

For more details, please contact the coordinator shown below:

Coordinator: Tyrone Gordon

Email: tagor0@eq.edu.au

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