Generosity across the decades

The Philip Dimmock Memorial Bursary has been supporting talented engineering students at UQ since 1993, impacting the lives of 32 young people during their studies.

In 2021, some of these students – now alumni years into successful careers – gathered back on campus to celebrate the historic prize, as the funds were transferred officially to the University from the man who had carefully managed it for decades.

As part of the celebration, the milestone was commemorated with the unveiling of a plaque within UQ's Advanced Engineering Building.

For Samuel Yue (Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) ’99, Master of Commerce ’02), coming back to UQ's St Lucia campus brought back a flood of memories of his time as a student in the School of Civil Engineering.

“It’s a much more modern campus now… the Advanced Engineering Building and GHD Auditorium look amazing. It’s got a nice vibe,” Sam said.

Earning a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering with First Class Honours in 1999, Sam has spent much of the past 25 years focused on building his career, starting out in structural engineering in Brisbane before venturing into investment banking in Hong Kong.

He recently returned to Brisbane, where he is now Chief Financial Officer of Orcoda, an ASX-listed company in smart technology providing logistic management services.

Like many of the other Civil Engineering alumni attending the unveiling ceremony of the Philip Dimmock Memorial Bursary Plaque in December 2021, it was the first time Sam had been back to the Engineering precinct at UQ since his graduation. More than a dozen current and past recipients came together for an evening to celebrate the incredible impact the bursary has had on their lives and careers.

Claire Rydstrom, who received the bursary in 1999, is currently working as a water engineer with a focus on project and design management, including treatment systems for water and wastewater, pipelines and pump stations.

Claire is now two decades into her career and, while she was unable to attend the event, she reflected on how the bursary helped her reach where she is today.

“I chose to study civil engineering because I wanted to work on diverse projects that made a difference in the world,” Claire said.

“Receiving the Philip Dimmock Memorial Bursary was a true honour and an unexpected gift. It meant that I was on my way to achieving my goals and helped reduce the financial burden of being a student.

“It helped me pursue a career that has been very rewarding .”

A wooden plaque reading 'Philip Dimmock Memorial Bursary' and listing 32 student names and the corresponding years they were awarded the prize.

The plaque recognising the 32 recipients of the bursary now hangs within the Advanced Engineering Building at UQ.

Rodney Gibson addressing guests at the unveiling.

Rodney Gibson (centre) with past bursary recipients.

The bursary was established in 1993 by Edna Frances Lomas in memory of her late son, Philip, who passed away in 1955 at the age of 22.

While Philip had never studied at UQ – he was educated in Melbourne, spending school holidays with his grandparents in Warwick – Edna had studied a Bachelor of Arts at UQ in the 1920s, and it was at the St Lucia campus where she met and eventually married engineering student Edmund Newey Dimmock.

From her home at Highgate Hill, Edna had a beautiful view of the St Lucia campus. She knew she wanted to support her alma mater and considered making a gift in her Will. Then her friend and financial advisor, Mr Rodney Gibson, talked Edna into doing something with her money while she was alive, so that she could see the impact of her gift.

“I remember quoting a few lines from an unpublished poem,” Rodney said.

Send me a single rose today
Be it white or pink or red
Send me a single rose today
Not a truckload when I am dead

“That was the idea behind the bursary: support students today to see the impact within your own lifetime.”

Inspired by Rodney’s suggestion, Edna decided Philip’s legacy was best celebrated by supporting the next generation of civil engineers at UQ. The Philip Dimmock Memorial Bursary recognises outstanding civil engineering students with an annual $3,000 award based on academic achievement.

Many of the early recipients were fortunate enough to meet Edna in person before her passing in 2002 at the age of 99. Every year, she and Rodney would meet the recipient on campus to present the award in person, pass on a copy of Philip Dimmock’s biography, A Memoir of a Poet by P.R. Stephenson, and enjoy a morning tea.

According to Rodney, “she loved those annual visits we had to St Lucia”.

Philip Dimmock's memoir.

Philip Dimmock's memoir.

Rodney has carefully managed and administered the bursary as Trustee for decades, continuing Edna’s legacy by personally meeting almost every recipient to date. Rodney’s role as Trustee will come to an end this year and the funds will be transferred to UQ’s endowment to continue the bursary in perpetuity.

Like Claire, Sam reflects on the award as an important recognition of his hard work and potential in the early days of his engineering career.

“The bursary gave me more confidence about my own ability and greater realisation that my hard work would pay off,” he said.

Thanks to Edna’s vision and Rodney’s commitment, the Philip Dimmock Memorial Bursary Trust has touched the lives of 32 students like Sam and Claire, and will continue to do so for many years to come.

If you would like to support students in the School of Civil Engineering like Edna Dimmock, a gift of any size can make a difference. You can donate to the Philip Dimmock Memorial Bursary or to the Future Leaders Fund, the School’s priority fund, which aims to inspire and attract the next generation of bright minds to pursue Civil Engineering at UQ through outreach programs lead by Civil Engineering students. To discuss how your donation or gift in Will can make the greatest impact, please contact the EAIT Faculty Advancement Team.