Giving
"Your example is a light for others"
St Madeleine Sophie Barat RSCJ
Your Support Matters
Duchesne College has long provided young women with the opportunity to live, learn, and grow within a supportive residential community while pursuing their university studies.
Through the Wise Women Commitment (2026–2030), Duchesne is building on this legacy by expanding bursary support, strengthening student opportunity, and ensuring future generations of women can access the transformative experience of college life.
For many students, particularly those from regional and rural communities, financial support is essential to taking up their place at Duchesne. Every gift helps create opportunity, strengthen community, and support young women to flourish academically, personally, and professionally.
Duchesne College Bursaries and Scholarships
At Duchesne College, we believe financial circumstances should not prevent a young woman from accessing university education and the opportunity to live within a supportive residential community.
Through the Wise Women Commitment (2026–2030), Duchesne College is working to expand bursary support, strengthen student opportunity, and ensure future generations of women can thrive at university.
Many of our students, particularly those from regional and rural communities, rely on financial assistance to take up their place at Duchesne. Your support helps create access to education, connection, leadership opportunities, and personal growth.
Gifts to the Duchesne College Bursary Fund contribute directly to:
- Supporting students experiencing financial hardship
- Assisting regional and rural students to relocate to Brisbane for university
- Expanding access to residential college life and the opportunities it provides
- Strengthening a diverse and supportive community of women
Duchesne College currently provides financial support through:
Duchesne College is seeking to raise $1 million between 2026 and 2030 to expand bursary and scholarship support for students requiring financial assistance. Through The University of Queensland's campaign, The Queensland Commitment, eligible gifts may also be matched, increasing the impact of donor support.
Your donation can support:
- The general bursary fund
- An existing named bursary
- The establishment of a new named bursary
- Ongoing giving through a recurring contribution
Every gift helps ensure that capable young women can access the opportunities a Duchesne education provides and continue to live, grow, and flourish within our community.
Fiona Forrest DC'96 Residential Scholarship Bursary
Fiona Forrest DC'96 was a respected employment and industrial relations lawyer, Duchesne resident, and later a member of the Duchesne College Council.
Following Fiona's passing in 2025, her family, friends, and colleagues established the Fiona Forrest DC'96 Residential Scholarship Bursary to honour her life and commitment to supporting future generations.
The bursary will support domestic Queensland students experiencing financial hardship, with preference given to students studying Human Resources, industrial relations, or law. Reflecting Fiona's values of fairness, integrity, and professional excellence, the bursary will help future students pursue their ambitions and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
The Fiona Forrest DC'96 Residential Scholarship Bursary will be offered for the 2027 academic year once the minimum funding threshold of $100,000 has been received by The University of Queensland.
Support Places and Spaces
Your donation will assist the College to provide an environment which continues to enhance the diverse community of current and future generations of young women.
The Duchesne College Council is developing an updated infrastructure strategy to support student living and learning and meets modern accommodation standards.
While the infrastructure strategy is in development, there are areas of the College that require urgent upgrades.
Planned refurbishments and upgrades include:
- Enhanced delivery of meals through the upgrading of the Dining Hall servery
- Upgrade of student accommodation
- Upgrade of student common areas
- Safety and security improvements through the installation of electronic locks throughout the whole college.
How to Donate
There are several ways to give to Duchesne and all donations, large and small, are gratefully received. Find out more about donating in the sections below.
Tax benefits of your gift
Duchesne is registered as a deductible gift recipient (DGR) under federal government legislation - Subdivision 30-BA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, endorsed by the Australian Tax Office (ATO) as an income tax concession charity (TCC) and registered with the Australian Charities and not-for-profits commission.
Duchesne provides a receipt for every gift greater than $2 for your taxation records.
General information can be provided about donations, however we advise you to consult your financial adviser or accountant. More information is available from the Australian Tax Office (ATO).
Online Donations
You can make a one-off or annual gift to our Bursary or Building Fund or elect to support immediate needs through the Head of College Fund.
Once you have made your selection you will be guided through the payment process. The method of payment on our web site is by credit card. Duchesne College accepts Visa and Mastercards that have been issued in Australia or overseas.
If you authorise a recurring donation, your credit card details are stored by our payment processor in accordance with payment card industry standards.
If you experience any issues processing your donation, please call the Duchesne College Engagement team on 61 7 3377 2333 for assistance.
Donations by Bank Transfer
If making a donation by bank transfer, please forward a copy of the remittance to accounts@duchesne.uq.edu.au
Duchesne College Wise Women Fund
BSB: 064-786
ACCOUNT: 100027244
Reference: DON Full Name
A receipt will be forwarded by email once funds have been processed by the finance team.
For International Donors
United States
To make your gift and receive a charitable tax receipt in the United States, donate to
The University of Queensland in America (TUQIA)
Note: under 'Donation for (optional)' please select the Duchesne College Residential Scholarship Bursary.
United Kingdom
To make your gift and receive a charitable tax receipt in the United Kingdom, donate to
The University of Queensland UK Trust
Hong Kong
To make your gift and receive a charitable tax receipt in Hong Kong, make a gift through the
Leaving a Gift in your Will
At Duchesne College, gifts in Wills open doors for aspiring young women—today and for generations to come. By including Duchesne in your Will, you help women live with purpose, lead with courage and serve the common good.
Why consider a gift in your Will?
- Create lasting impact through scholarships and bursaries for students who might not otherwise access university and college life
- Strengthen student wellbeing, leadership and academic support
- Contribute to safe, contemporary accommodation and vibrant communal spaces
- Honour someone special through a named bursary or memorial gift.
If you're considering making a gift of any size to Duchesne College in your Will, would like your gift to have an impact in perpetuity or to create a gift to memorialise a loved one, please contact us to discuss how we can fulfill your wishes and ensure your generosity supports the education of aspiring young women into the future as your legacy.
For enquiries or a confidential discussion contact
Michelle Allan
Head of College and Chief Executive
T: 61 7 3377 2333