Inaugural Bob Hawke and Tim Fischer John Monash Scholarship Winners Announced
Two outstanding individuals have been announced as the inaugural 2020 Bob Hawke and Tim Fischer John Monash Scholars, at a special celebration event held at Parliament House Canberra on 3 December 2019.
The Prime Minister Scott Morrison said “Our Government is honoured to provide $10 million for new perpetual scholarships in honour of Bob Hawke and Tim Fischer.
The John Monash Scholars are amongst our country’s brightest minds - they embody our hopes for the future.”
Chloe D’Souza has been awarded the 2020 Bob Hawke John Monash Scholarship. She is a proud Wilman Noongar woman from Perth whose study will focus on the intersection of law and policy relating to reform targeted at improving the social and economic outcomes of Indigenous Australians. This Scholarship will support her Master of Laws at Columbia University in the USA.
Dr Matthew Lennon will be the 2020 Tim Fischer John Monash Scholar. He is ideally suited to hold this special scholarship with a focus on rural and regional Australia as a doctor from Wagga Wagga, NSW. Matthew will undertake a Master of Neuroscience at Oxford University and plans to bring better dementia research and vital therapeutics, drug trials and care back to Australia to help our ageing population in rural and remote communities.
Chloe and Matthew were selected by an eminent group of Australians, including former supreme court judges, industry leaders, academics, leaders of business, policy advisors and scientists from around the country, following a rigorous three-stage process. Only 20 individuals were offered Scholarships for study commencing in 2020, out of a total of 324 who applied. The Scholarship selection criteria includes demonstrated excellence in their field, leadership ability and a vision to deliver a positive impact for the benefit of Australia.
“The Foundation is honoured to be able to award these two scholarships which, through an investment in outstanding talent, are a tribute to the contribution of each of Bob Hawke AC and Tim Fischer AC to the nation.
Chloe D’Souza and Matthew Lennon are worthy recipients. They also reflect John Monash’s focus on leadership and a desire to make an important contribution to society”, said Chairman of the General Sir John Monash Foundation, Jillian Segal AO.
The John Monash Scholarships, Australia’s own post graduate overseas study program are awarded every year to support exceptional Australians who have the qualities to contribute to a positive future. These are Scholars with exceptional leadership capacity, intelligence, tenacity, courage and talent, with a vision of how they can ensure that their postgraduate studies and future career will be of benefit to the nation.
“This generous gift celebrates the legacy of two great Australians by the Commonwealth Government and is a meaningful commitment to education, Australia’s talented young people and the future leadership of our nation”, said Annemarie Rolls, Chief Executive Officer.
Chloe D'Souza
2020 BOB HAWKE JOHN MONASH SCHOLAR
Master of Laws
Columbia University
Chloe is a proud Wilman Noongar woman who grew up in Perth. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and is currently completing a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from Curtin University. Chloe is the first Aboriginal person to graduate from Curtin University’s Law School in 2015 and was shortly after admitted to the Supreme Court of WA in 2017.
After practising commercial law with a focus on energy and regulation, Chloe moved into Heritage at BHP to understand how the mining industry can work with communities to protect and prolong Aboriginal heritage sites across tenure. In parallel to her career development, Chloe has actively engaged with organisations across WA on their reconciliation initiatives, to fulfil a personal interest in the role that private organisations can have in advancing social policy.
Chloe is interested in the intersection of law and policy relating to reform targeted at improving the social and economic outcomes of Indigenous Australians. She intends to use the Scholarship to undertake a Master of Laws at Columbia University, focusing on human rights and comparative studies.
Dr Matthew Lennon
2020 TIM FISCHER JOHN MONASH SCHOLAR
Master of Neuroscience
University of Oxford
Matthew is a doctor working in Wagga Wagga, NSW where he lives with his wife Gabrielle and daughter Florence. He graduated from medicine at UNSW with the University Medal and Class I Honours in Neuroscience. Following completion of his degree he has been working with the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing to explore epidemiological and genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's Dementia.
Matthew is undertaking a Master of Neuroscience at Oxford University and plans to use the knowledge and skills acquired to bring better dementia research, therapeutics and care back to Australia. Through university he started Springboard Education, a charitable tutoring organisation, that has provided free tutoring and educational resources to thousands of students in rural Australia.
He has worked extensively within the Australian Medical Association writing and enacting policy as well as for the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing working to resolve challenges in Aged Care for rural and remote Australia. Matthew has performed with the Sydney Philharmonic Choirs at the Sydney Opera House. His other interests include rugby union, running triathlons, writing poetry and performing with guitar.
About the General Sir John Monash Foundation:
Our mission is to invest in outstanding Australians from all fields of endeavour who demonstrate remarkable qualities of leadership and have the ability to deliver outcomes and inspire others for the benefit of Australia. The General Sir John Monash Foundation was established in 2001 with an initial contribution from the Australian Federal Government, together with further contributions from corporate supporters and private donors. Its purpose is to raise funds for, and to administer, Australia’s own premier postgraduate scholarships – the John Monash Scholarships – to foster leadership, expertise and international networks, as well as build Australia’s capabilities for the future.
The John Monash Scholarships are awarded for up to three years of postgraduate study and are not limited by discipline, age or postgraduate destination. The Scholarships are amongst the most important postgraduate scholarships currently available in Australia.
Learn more at www.johnmonash.com
MEDIA CONTACT:
Annemarie Rolls
Chief Executive Officer
Office: +61 3 9620 2428