The Julie Fitzsimons
Library & History Scholarship
For young people who love what Julie loved: books, history, and community.
Applications open soon.
Register your interest below and we'll let you know the moment they do.
About Julie
Julie Fitzsimons spent more than four decades giving her heart to libraries and to the history of her community.
She began at Rockdale Library in 1978, an eighteen-year-old librarian in training, balancing study with her first full-time role. Over the years she worked across Hurstville, Canterbury and Georges River, but she always found her way back to what she called her true home, the Rockdale and Bayside library.
Julie was a historian as much as a librarian. She curated local heritage archives, ran historical tours, and documented the St George Sailing Club's 140-year history. When we lost her suddenly in May 2025, she had just begun leading the Georges River Archives project for its 100-year anniversary, exactly the kind of work she lived for: preserving community stories for the generations who would come after.
She used to say her dream was to retire as the library's longest-serving librarian. That dream was cut tragically short. This scholarship is how we keep it alive, by passing her love of learning, storytelling and service on to someone just starting out.
You can apply if you are a Year 12 or undergraduate student who lives in the Bayside Council area, or who is connected with Bayside Libraries, and you are studying or planning to study in one of these areas:
About the Scholarship
The Julie Fitzsimons Library & History Scholarship supports a young person in the Bayside community who shares Julie's love of books, history and learning.
Each year it offers financial support and mentorship to a student pursuing studies connected to libraries, history, literature or community education. It is awarded by Bayside Council in partnership with the Nicole & Julie Fitzsimons Foundation.
Who can apply
History
Literature or English
Library and Information Science
Community Arts or Education
Archival or Museum Studies
Preference is given to applicants who show financial need or a genuine connection to their community.
What you'll need to apply
When applications open, here is what you'll be asked for:
A personal statement of around 500 words: "Why reading, history, or libraries matter to me.
A creative piece: an essay, a poem, or a project proposal about libraries or local history.
A letter of recommendation from a teacher, librarian or mentor.
A short context statement, where you can share any financial, personal or family circumstances you'd like the panel to consider.
How the scholarship works: "The $1,500 goes towards the costs of the recipient's studies, things like textbooks, course materials, software or course fees. As with all of the Foundation's support, it is paid towards those costs rather than handed over as cash, so it goes exactly where it is meant to: into an education in the field Julie loved."
How recipients are chosen
Passion for books and history (40%)
Community connection and context (30%)
Future potential (20%)
Creativity and storytelling (10%)
Each recipient is also invited to share their project or insights at a Bayside Library event, so Julie's scholarship keeps giving back to the community she loved."
Julie Fitzsimons leading a local history group at Rockdale City Library