Praise for McIlwains Couple backed uni work

GRIFFITH University has praised the generosity of the McIlwain family, following the sad Christmas Eve passing of philanthropist Beverly McIlwain.

Beverly and her husband, former Gold Coast councillor and developer Jock McIlwain, had been major supporters of Griffith University through their passion for science and education.

They played a key role in the launch of Science on the GO!, a community outreach program taking science and maths into classrooms.

Science on the GO! co-ordinator Professor Richard John said the McIlwains’ support was instrumental to its success.

“Jock assisted in the purchase of the Science on the GO! van and supported the program for years,” he said.

“It was through him that Beverly saw what a difference was being made and why she continued to support the program after he passed away.”

Mr McIlwain died in April 2016.

Through Mrs McIlwain’s ongoing support, the program was able to fund the publication of early reader maths and science books, Millie the Mathematician and Suzie the Scientist, with 140,000 copies distributed Australia-wide, including copies in every Australian primary school.

“This would not have been possible without Beverly’s generosity and her support of education, in particular science education,” Prof John said.

“She was a wonderful person and generous. She insisted her donations were spent on the public good and so many children have benefited.”

The McIlwains’ long-term support for education at Griffith was recognised through the Beverly and Jock McIlwain Award for Excellence in Science, and the Science on the GO-McIlwain Award for Science Education.

Professor Mark von Itzstein, director of the university’s Institute for Glycomics, said it was evident Mrs McIlwain was committed to the institute’s mission of fighting diseases of global impact.