Most Excellent Companion A. Thornton Pollard was the First Grand Principal of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Queensland from 1950 until his passing on the 22nd May, 1953. He was a tireless worker and educator for Freemasonry and travelled many thousands of kilometres in his service to this Grand Chapter.

On his passing, a donation was made to Grand Chapter from his estate to set up a legacy for the annual awarding of Bursaries for the furtherance of tertiary education.

The Thornton Pollard Bursary is awarded by the Board of Benevolence of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Queensland to students entering into tertiary studies at a value to be determined by the Board.

Those who may apply are any child, grandchild or ward of a financial member of any Royal Arch Chapter within juridiction of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Queensland, or any child, grandchild or ward of a deceased member of any Royal Arch Chapter in Queensland who was financial at the time of his death, provided that the death of the former member occurred during the compass of the applicant's secondary education.

 
Bursary Recipients 2012

The Board at its meeting considered applications for the Thornton Pollard Bursaries. The applications covered a wide range of courses and the participants should be congratulated for their hard work during their secondary schooling. The reasons for the selection of courses for study by the applicants are many and show a desire to succeed and to contribute to the wellbeing of Society. After due consideration The Board decided to award Bursaries as follows:

Alyssa Maree Currie (OP3), grand-daughter of V Ex Comp Ron Capps of Townsville Royal Arch Chapter. who will be studying for a Bachelor of Mathematics and Bachelor of Games and Interactive Entertainment at QUT.

Brendan William Venz (OP6), grandson of Rt Ex Comp Ian Ross of Gympie Royal Arch Chapter. who will be studying for a Bachelor of Aviation/Diploma of Flight Management at Griffith University.

This listing is in no particular order.   They were presented with their first Bursary cheque of $600.00 by First Grand Principal M. Ex. Comp. C.J. (Jon) Nantes, GZ and President of the Board of Benevolence R. Ex. Comp. I.C. (Ian) Wylde, PGH on the 28th February 2012 along with the Thornton Pollard Bursary Certificate.  The final Bursary instalment will be paid on a successful completion of First Semester.  All Bursary winners have been advised to send their first semester results to the Board of Benevolence C/- Grand Scribe Ezra to enable the Board to make a final payment of $400.00.