Empowering Young People to Reach Their Full Potential with Variety Scholarships
At Variety, we believe every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential — regardless of their background, location, challenges or ability.
That belief sits at the heart of the Variety Scholarship Program, which continues to change lives across Australia thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Grahame Mapp and the Grahame Mapp Family Foundation.
Gillian Mapp played a foundational role in shaping this legacy. In 1980, she established the Ladies of Variety (LoV) committee — a group dedicated to creating meaningful outings and joyful experiences for children who are sick, experiencing disadvantage, or living with disability.
At a time when only men could be members of the Variety Club worldwide, the formation of the LoV created a pathway for women to contribute meaningfully to the organisation’s mission. This initiative ultimately contributed to women being admitted as full Variety members globally in 1984.
Gillian also founded the Variety Scholarship Program, with the inaugural Scholarship awards presented at Government House, Sydney, hosted by Sir Roden Cutler. Her belief in connection, inclusion and opportunity continues to inspire the work we do today.
Across Australia, the Variety Scholarship Program supports young people to pursue their passions, build resilience and access opportunities that shape their future pathways. While each recipient’s journey is unique, the impact is shared — greater confidence, independence and belief in what’s possible.
The program currently supports young people through two key streams:
Excellence in Sport Supporting talented athletes across a wide range of sports including basketball, athletics, netball, tennis and more.
Excellence in the Arts Supporting emerging artists, dancers and musicians to continue developing their creative talents and skills.
Scholarships help cover the costs of coaching, equipment, tuition, travel and development opportunities — expenses that can otherwise place dreams out of reach. Beyond financial assistance, these scholarships provide something just as powerful: encouragement, connection and the confidence to keep going.
Variety scholarships are about more than achievement — they’re about empowering young people to grow, explore and step confidently into their future. By investing in potential early, the program helps recipients build lifelong skills, resilience and independence that extend well beyond sport or the arts.
Through the ongoing support of the Grahame Mapp Family Foundation, Variety is not only helping individuals succeed — it is strengthening communities and creating pathways for young people to thrive.
Grahame is a founding father of Variety in Australia, having served as a Charter Member since 1974 and contributed more than 50 years of continuous service at both local and international levels. His leadership includes terms as Chief Barker, Chair of Variety Australia, Director and President of Variety International, and ongoing involvement through the Variety International Advisory Council.
In recognition of his significant contributions to society, Grahame was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1986. Today, Grahame and his family remain actively involved with Variety, continuing a legacy grounded in generosity and purpose.
The Variety Scholarship Program is proudly supported by the Grahame Mapp Family Foundation. We are deeply grateful for their long-standing commitment and the enduring legacy of Gillian and Grahame Mapp, whose belief in children and young people continues to open doors and change lives.
Together, we are helping the next generation dream big — and giving them the support they need to turn those dreams into reality.
Every Child Deserves to Thrive
Change Takes All Of Us
Every child deserves the chance to explore, grow, and dream without limits. Their potential shouldn’t be defined by disability, illness, or financial hardship. We work to remove those barriers and open the doors to new possibilities.
