Community & Business
30 May, 2025
Making musical dreams happen
THE chance to follow a musical dream is on offer again this year with applications now open for the John Greatrex Aspiring Student Music Bursary.
The bursary aims to support music learning opportunities for students who may not be able to access extension in their musical talent - whether it be vocal coaching, buying a musical instrument or getting individual tuition.
Established by Louisa Greatrex in 2018, after her husband John passed away in 2017, the bursary is open to Junior Secondary Students (Year 7-10) attending Herberton, Ravenshoe, Malanda or Atherton State High Schools.
A student may be identified as gifted or talented, but students with the potential to demonstrate a gift or talent if an opportunity was provided would also be considered, Mrs Greatrex explained.
“John was a passionate musician and music educator who, over many years, influenced and supported many young people in their desire to pursue their love of music,” she said.
“He not only taught students, he inspired and motivated them, and in his own words, ‘always tried to create an atmosphere in which kids could experience success’.
“He loved nothing more than all of his students having fun in his classes and leaving the lesson on a musical high. John was the modern ‘School of Rock!’”
To apply, students need to show an interest or passion in music, a commitment to furthering their musical studies and attend one of the schools listed.
The applications need to be supported by a parent or guardian and include communication with, or a reference from, a significant adult in the applicant’s life. This adult could be a parent, a teacher, a guardian or another person with some knowledge of the student’s interest and talent in music.
“When John passed away in 2017, he was still as energetic and passionate about education as the day he first started teaching,” Mrs Greatrex said.
“It is in his memory that we set up the music bursary for students on the Atherton Tablelands, which was John’s base for over 20 years.”
Since 2018, six students have benefitted from the bursary, including in 2018, Shazney from Ravenshoe SHS who bought a saxophone; 2019, Mishaal from Malanda SHS who received piano tuition; 2020, Jonothan from Atherton SHS, who received tuition fees for piano and clarinet; 2021,Tai Ah Gee from Atherton SHS,who was awarded a Guild guitar; 2021, Bianca Le Gear who received tuition fees for clarinet; and 2023, Alice Mitchell from Atherton SHS – who bought a flute.
Mrs Greaterex said the students had been given a musical step in the right direction, and feedback had been great.
She recalled Jonothan’s father saying what a brilliant opportunity the bursary had given to his son, and others to “realise their potential in the wonderful world of music”.
His son’s dream was to become a composer and he continued to produce a whole variety of classical songs. In 2021, Jonathon was awarded second place in the ASME Young Composer’s Competition, and he had submitted two entries in the Vienna International Composer’s Competition.
Mrs Greatrex said the bursary relies on donations and all funds are managed by the Herberton State School, which was John’s last teaching post.
People can contribute by contacting the school themselves, or by contacting Mrs Greatrex through the John Greatrex Aspiring Music bursary facebook page.
