Norma Louise McMichael was President of the Sunshine Coast Branch of the Australian Federation of University Women (AFUW) which was established in 1991.
She possesses a Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Arts from the University of Edinburgh, and was profiled in the recent AFUW publication, An Educated Woman.
The AFUW was established to promote the advancement of women world-wide and their equality of opportunity through initiatives in education, friendship and peace.
AFUW is one of the 66 members of the International Federation of University Women, which has consultative status with the United Nations this gives the AFUW a voice on international matters of critical importance to the protections of human rights and the status of girls and women.
Norma and the Sunshine Coast Brand have been involved with the University from its very earliest stages. In 1994, Norma and her colleagues instituted a Bursary Breakfast, the proceeds from which would go to supporting local students at the future institution. This activity was consistent with the AFUW’s special focus on supporting girls and women in accessing and completing higher education. Relationships with the University have been close since the introduction of these breakfasts and continue to get closer. By 2001, twenty awards of $500 each had been made to female undergraduates, including mature age students. In a region where this is a significant socio-economic disadvantage and hardship, these awards may well have meant the difference between a female undergraduate continuing with her studies and being forced to leave university.