09-07-2021

Join us for this weeks roundup of inspiring Scholar news and stories as we celebrate NAIDOC WEEK 2021. NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920′s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. This year's NAIDOC theme is Heal Country!

NAIDOC week is an important time to remind us all to reflect on the incredible history of the lands we Australians are fortunate to live on and the custodians who have cared for it over so many thousands of years. It is a great opportunity to learn new things through the many programs, performances and stories being shared this week.

Let's take this awareness and learning with us into every day of the year as we share the journey of healing Country. 

HEAL COUNTRY! Chloe D'Souza strikes at the heart of it

Chloe D’Souza, 2020 Bob Hawke John Monash Scholar, opens her heart so we can open our eyes. Growing up with two opposing narratives of Australia’s history has fueled her desire to request a genuine call to action from all Australians so we can collectively take steps for healing to occur. Thank you to Chloe for allowing us to publish her story for NAIDOC week 2021.

HEAL COUNTRY! Dr Brett Shannon's drive to equalise access to health

Dr Brett Shannon, 2021 Australian Universities' John Monash Scholar, shares with us the importance of holistic health that encompasses the physical, as well as the spiritual, emotional and cultural aspects to the lives of his patients. Thank you to Brett for allowing us to publish his story for NAIDOC week 2021.

Announcing The John and Anna Belfer Trust John Monash Scholarship

We are very grateful to the John and Anna Belfer Trust for their gift of three scholarship years for a John Monash Scholar to study at the acclaimed Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel is ranked consistently among the best worldwide; and both Albert Einsten and Sigmund Freud were among the first Board Members for the University. To learn more about this opportunity please contact the John Monash Foundation directly.

Congratulations Nicholas Duddy

Nicholas Duddy, 2020 Tim Fairfax AC John Monash Scholar, has been longlisted for the Griffith Review’s inaugural Long and Short of It writing competition which is open to early-career writers. The Griffith Review is a quarterly publication featuring essays, reportage, memoir, fiction, poetry and artwork from established and emerging writers and artists.

Legal win for NSW Ports against ACCC

The ACCC commenced legal action against NSW Ports and The State of NSW in 2018 as part of the terms of the $2.5 billion privatisation. Brendan Lim, 2008 John Monash Scholar, was part of the legal counsel who argued the case for public policy issues surrounding a state’s ability to privatise its assets. It was announced earlier this week that Ports NSW has won the case.

Fears for Cambodian land grab

The transfer of land, measuring half the size of Luxembourg, is meant to be distributed to Cambodian citizens as part of a sub-decree issued to protect thousands of displaced people who have already lost their homes due to prior land contestations. Sarah Milne, 2005 John Monash Scholar has voiced doubts on the equitable transfer of land due to the shifting politics that ensures the local elite are kept in check and satisfied. 

Thinking of having a cosmetic procedure?

Get the facts about minor and major cosmetic procedures from Dr Gemma Sharp, 2007 John Monash Scholar. She has worked alongside other Doctors and Academics to put together an engaging factual summary of what to expect which will hopefully combat other similar articles that spread misinformation.

The office of the General Sir John Monash Foundation sits on Wurundjeri country and we warmly acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we are privileged to have our working base and pay our respects to the Wurundjeri elders past and present.

We would also like to acknowledge and pay our respects to all the traditional custodians of this vast continent, on whose lands our Scholars have been nurtured, which our supporters, board members and staff call home, and where, as a national organisation, we often gather.

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