Rachel Boniface is a $10'000 award recipients from 2014. We caught up with Rachel to see how she is going after winning the Philip Leong Grant. 

1.       What is your biggest achievement in business to date?

Starting Nurture at the age of 25, with a team of 9 staff, is by far my biggest achievement. But in addition to that Nurture is now a prospering company and I am continuing to set goals to develop it into the future.

2.       Tell us something about yourself that many people don’t know

I hate public speaking, but I tend to do it a lot.

3.       What advice would you give to up and coming young business people

Spend lots of time planning how your business is going to stand out from other businesses in the same field. What makes your business different? And how are you going to promote your business to stand out in the crowd?

4.       How did the bursary assist your business?

The bursary enabled me to buy equipment needed to start my clinic and it also allowed me to continue my studies and develop myself as a Physiotherapist.

5.       Phillip Leong assisted many young people in business, arts and sport. What contributions do you (and your business) make/plan to make to our community?

Nurture Family Allied Health Centre is a multidisciplinary health care clinic that has a special focus on Women’s and Children’s health care needs. We often run free information seminars for new and expecting mothers and recently did a Women’s information night, where all the proceeds were donated to The Townsville Hospital Children’s Ward.

6.       Do you have any reflections about the bursary process that could help current applicants?

All new businesses should have a thorough Business Plan. Spend plenty of time preparing yours. Also plan ahead and set goals as to where you want to take your business in the future.

 7.       What future aspirations do you have for your professional career and/or your business?

I would like to complete my Masters in Women’s Health Physiotherapy and eventually expand Nurture into other areas of Queensland. I would also like to continue to develop our outreach services to surrounding districts.

8.       Which local schools or education establishments have you attended?

Kirwan State High School and James Cook University

We reached out to past recipient Christina Grasso. Christina  applied for and was granted a $5,000 Bursary in 2011 to assist her in her studies at James Cook University whilst she completed her Bachelor of Nursing.

We asked her a few questions to help give future applicants about the Philip Leong Youth Programme. 

1.       What is your biggest achievement in business to date?

At this stage in my career, I have recently graduated from James Cook University (December 2014) and in February this year I commenced my 12 month graduate program as a Registered Nurse at the Townsville Hospital.

2.       Tell us something about yourself that many people don’t know

I was the first person in my family to get a university degree, I had lots of support and encouragement in doing so.

3.       What advice would you give to up and coming young business people

Sometimes it can take time to build up your experience to aspire to something big. For instance, I plan on finishing my graduate program and getting as much experience in nursing as I can get before moving on to something bigger.

4.       How did the bursary assist you?

While I was at university, I was heavily involved with the community and music. I played the flute in several of the high school musicals while trying to manage my studies and a part time job. The bursary encouraged to me continue to be a part of the community with my music by alleviating some of the financial stress.

5.       Phillip Leong assisted many young people in business, arts and sport. What contributions do you (and your business) make/plan to make to our community?

At this stage, my focus is finishing the graduate program and getting as much experience in nursing as possible. I would love to do some community nursing and continue with my music in the community.

6.       Do you have any reflections about the bursary process that could help current applicants?
Be patient and no matter what happens, don’t give up on whatever it is you want to be doing.

7.       What future aspirations do you have for your professional career and/or your business?
It really is difficult to say yet as I am so new to the profession. I would love to get some experience in community nursing which might give me a few more ideas.

8.       Which local schools or education establishments have you attended?
I attended Pimlico State High School which had an excellent music program and prepared me very well.

I then attended James Cook University and have now graduated.

This week, we also met with Kayla Richards CA, who is a senior accountant at the Richards Business  Centre. We went through and asked her a couple of questions to see how she is going after winning her bursary.


1.       What is your biggest achievement in business to date?

Achieving a Graduate Diploma in Chartered Accounting and being recognized as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia.  The acknowledgement has promoted my position as a senior accountant within the firm, and has endorsed my role in terms of the practice management side of the business.

2.       Tell us something about yourself that many people don’t know

I have had my boat license since before I was even old enough to hold a car license, and my ideal weekends include being outdoors on the water or enjoying the fresh air on a motorbike – a polar opposite scenario from my weekday office job (which I love too!).

3.       What advice would you give to up and coming young business people

Pace yourself, and do not expect everything to happen overnight. Small, concerted and continuous efforts are the building blocks for a successful career in business.  Patience is so essential, and it is important not to become discouraged by minor setbacks throughout the journey.

4.       How did the bursary assist your business?

The bursary was used to assist in my final studies which are the core foundation of my role as a Chartered Accountant.  Everything that I do and achieve for my clients each day, is as a direct result of my knowledge and experience, and therefore this is where the largest investment is required.

5.       Phillip Leong assisted many young people in business, arts and sport. What contributions do you (and your business) make/plan to make to our community?

I have a role mentoring younger students who are going through their studies currently.  I enjoy sharing my experiences, the challenges and the highlights of what I have learnt (and what I am currently still learning).

6.       Do you have any reflections about the bursary process that could help current applicants?

Spend a genuine amount of time clarifying exactly what your goals – both short and long-term – are, and ensure that you have an outline of a plan for yourself, and how the bursary could fall into this plan.  Be honest in your application, and provide a true representation of yourself and what you are aiming to achieve.

7.       What future aspirations do you have for your professional career and/or your business?

I hope to continue building on my experience and ensuring that my client focus is refined to the point that I am able to positively impact on each and every business client that I have the opportunity to deal with.

8.       Which local schools or education establishments have you attended?

I attended Holy Spirit Primary School, finished off my high school years at Townsville Grammar School, and attended James Cook University to complete my Bachelor of Business (Accounting).

This week, we stopped by and met with Jaquie Goldack who is the Senior Physiotherapist and Director at PhysioNorth to answer a few questions on our Alumni Highlight! 



1. What is your biggest achievement in business to date?

Winning the Chamber of commerce young business person of the year award in 2012. 2011 had been a tough year for me, learning to juggle business and a baby and it was fantastic to have my hard work recognised. 

2. Tell us something about yourself that many people don’t know

I love to cook! I am obsessed with cooking magazines and love getting time to myself in the kitchen, with good music playing and a glass of wine!

3. What advice would you give to  up and coming young business people?

Start a procedures manual as early as possible so that when you are ready to start hiring people to take over jobs that you do, there are clear directions to follow. It allows you to formalise things you do on a daily basis that you don’t think about. It also allows ease of training and  ensures things are done the way you would like them done. Then you can start to focus areas of the business where your time is most valuably spent.

4. How did the bursary assist your business?

I had just purchased my Physiotherapy clinic the year I was awarded the bursary and had exhausted my financial resources. It was early in my physiotherapy career and I needed to upskill to enable me to train my staff better. The bursary allowed me to travel to Perth to complete a five week physiotherapy course which took my skills to the next level. I then came home and used those skills to train my staff and improve our service.

5. Phillip Leong assisted many young people in business, arts and sport. What contributions do you (and your business) make or plan to make to our community?

I support the community by regularly taking work experience and university students, to give them the experience of working in a Private Physiotherapy clinic. We also have charity days at Physionorth. Charities we have supported in the past include the Joyful Foundation and the Cootharinga oundation. I also volunteer my time on the JCU curriculum committee, to assist in the development of the Physiotherapy course and The Phillip Leong Advisory Committee. 

6. Do you have any reflections on the bursary process that could help current applicants?

Have a solid business plan when you present to the committee and think about what your plans and goals are for the future. Think about how you would spend the money if you were awarded the bursary and be able to verbalise how it would help your business or idea grow. 

7. What future aspirations do you have for your professional career and your business?

2013/2014 was a period of big growth for Physionorth, therefore the next couple of years are about consolidating and ensuring all our business processes are smooth. The focus for me at the moment is continuing to expand my knowledge and train my staff, so that we are offering exceptional service. The aim is a great experience for our patients from the time they call to make an appointment to the point we are able to discharge them. 

8. Which local schools or educational establishments have you attended?

I attended the Cathedral school for high school, JCU (Townsville) for my Sports Science Degree and Curtin University (Perth) for my Physiotherapy degree. I am currently studying under Professor Linda-Joy Lee to take my physiotherapy skills to the next level. I think life-long learning is essential for continued success.

More information on her business PhysioNorth can be found online at http://www.physionorth.com.au/ otherwise you can drop in and visit them at Suite 1, 57 Mitchell St, North Ward