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EsperantoEileen O'Connell Memorial Bursary
Since 2002, I have presented the Eileen O'Connell Memorial Bursary to a Halifax West High School student and to a J.L. Ilsley High School student.
Eileen O'Connell was a teacher and politician who was committed to improving the education system and offering opportunities for young people.
Eileen was born in 1947 and grew up in Antigonish. After earning a degree from St. Francis Xavier University, she studied at Dalhousie and St. Mary's Universities, completing a degree in Education.
Eileen taught at Halifax West High School for 14 years, then moved to Cornwallis Junior High School. She was also a founding member of the Association for Media Literacy; a board member of the Planned Parenthood Metro Clinic; and a chair of the Halifax Association for Community Living's Flowers of Hope Campaign. She held local, provincial and federal positions with the New Democratic Party.
In 1996 Eileen was elected to the Nova Scotia Legislature as the NDP MLA for Halifax Fairview, which covers part of the catchment area of both Halifax West and J.L. Ilsley High Schools. She was re-elected, each time by large margins, in 1998 and 1999.
After the 1998 election Eileen was diagnosed with breast cancer. She fought bravely while continuing to serve her constituents. She died on September 27, 2000.
The Eileen O'Connell Memorial Bursary has been established by Graham Steele, Eileen's successor as MLA for Halifax Fairview. The prize is awarded to a student who maintains a high academic standing and makes a significant contribution to the annual Model Parliament. These themes — education and democratic government — were important in Eileen's life.
The award recipient is selected by their school, and is a student who maintains a high academic standard and who makes a significant contribution to their school's annual Model Parliament/Model United Nations. Where it is necessary to choose between several qualified candidates, preference is given to a student who lives within the boundaries of the Halifax Fairview provincial constituency that Eileen represented (click here for a street index) and/or to a female student.
Minister's Offices
If you don't live in Halifax Fairview, and you want to talk to me about the Departments of Finance, Acadian Affairs, NSLC, or other areas, here's how to reach me:
Department of Finance: 424-5720
email: FinanceMinister@gov.ns.ca.
Constituency Office
If you live in Halifax Fairview, and you want to talk about provincial government departments affecting you, here's how to reach me:
Chebucto Place
7105 Chebucto Road, Suite 101
Halifax NS B3L 4W8
Telephone: 453-5556
Fax: 453-4566
E-mail: graham@grahamsteele.ca
