The legacy of two of the western suburbs’ leading lights will live on through a new scholarship fund at Victoria University.
The Kirner-Kosky Scholarship Fund, celebrating the lives of Joan Kirner and Lynne Kosky, will support the education of two young women from Melbourne’s west studying at VU each year.
The scholars will also be mentored by a female community leader.
Former Prime Minster Julia Gillard launched the new scholarship fund at a special event last Thursday night.
VU chancellor George Pappas and wife Jill announced they were making a personal donation of $1 million.
Mr Pappas said the university chose to establish the jointly named fund to acknowledge the many parallels in the careers of Ms Kirner and Ms Kosky and their strong personal connections to Victoria University.
He noted that both women represented Melbourne’s west in state parliament and both strongly believed in the importance of education in shaping Victoria.
Joan Kirner, who died in June, represented Williamstown in State Parliament. She was education minister from 1988-90 and Premier from 1990-92.
Lynne Kosky, who died in December, is a former Footscray mayor who represented Altona in the parliament from 1996-2010 and held senior ministerial posts in the Bracks and Brumby governments.
The university will use its centenary campaign to seek support for the fund.
