5 - 08 - 2022

Join us for this week's roundup of inspiring Scholar news...

On Wednesday Last week, The Centre for Policy Development (CPD) organised an official G20 event in Indonesia which focused on financing energy transitions in emerging economies. Andrew Hudson, 2005 John Monash Scholar and CPD Chief Executive, provided opening remarks ahead of the Indonesian Vice President, Energy Minister and Finance Minister. 

In his opening remarks, Andrew emphasised the need for cooperation to address the challenges that Australia and Indonesia share in the two nations’ decarbonisation pathway, as the world’s two largest coal exporters. “If Australia and Indonesia can decarbonise, any nation can”, he said.

Andrew is an international human rights advocate with over 20 years of varied UN and international advocacy experience, currently serving as CEO of CPD. He previously lived in New York City for 16 years, where he was the former CEO of Crisis Action from 2015 to 2021. He has also worked for Human Rights First, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Ecuador, the Brimbank Melton Community Legal Centre and more. Watch the opening remarks here (begin at 28 minutes).

John Monash Scholar embarks on
climate change research

Hannah Phelps, 2021 Chairman’s Circle John Monash Scholar, recently spent three weeks with her lab group on the Kaskawulsh and Donjeck glaciers in the Kluane National Park in Yukon Territory to set up a weather station and other monitoring equipment to collect data over the summer.

The image above shows Hannah with the satellite meteorological stations the group put on the glacier - this is a scaled down station that they used to give them information of the conditions up/down stream of their main weather station. The picture below is the main weather station - the structure on the left is 5m tall and Hannah and her group will be going back in September to disassemble everything and take it off the glacier for the winter period. 

“The whole trip was a truly remarkable experience and I feel extremely lucky to have been able to participate.  I’m so grateful for the support of the John Monash Foundation that has allowed me to be here. I have learned so much about working in that kind of environment, and it’s reinforced my passion for the work I’m doing for my PhD.”

With her John Monash Scholarship, Hannah is undertaking her PhD at the University of British Columbia, focussing on modelling glaciers and their response to climate change. Hannah believes that the development of practical solutions to combat climate change requires accurate predictions of the climate response decades into the future.

Jessie Hughes, 2020 Lee Liberman John Monash Scholar, recently presented at the American Australian Association Arts Gala in Los Angeles, where her own TV series was recognised by Hollywood Great Ron Howard.

Jessie’s series was selected as one of nine projects from Australia for Ron Howard’s Impact Australia screenwriting accelerator program as year upon completion of her Master in Screenwriting & Filmmaking at London Film Academy, where she then engaged in further training under the best screenwriters in Australia.

On conclusion of the program, her series was pitched to industry executives meeting with studios and production companies both here and abroad. Jessie has since partnered with Brisbane-based studio Hoodlum and Gentle Giant Media Group as her production partners, and her series is currently in development.

Jessie is an internationally recognised Australian new media artist and creative technologist, her works having been exhibited most notably at Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, Tate Modern, and Cannes Film Market.

Exploring the skills we require to thrive in today's society

May Samali, 2014 NSW Premier’s John Monash Scholar, was recently invited to record a podcast with RMIT University FORWARD, the Centre for Future Skills and Workforce Transformation, as part of their SkillsCast podcast. The episode was titled Change Resilience: The Meta skillset of the Information Age?

May discusses what is justified as the future of work and what change resilience means for both individuals and organisations to unleash the power of their potential.  “Change resilience is requiring people to grow their social, emotional and relational intelligence.” 

May is Founder and CEO of Coaching by May, a professional leadership and personal development coaching service. She also works with teams and organisations to unleash their power, purpose and potential.

John Monash Foundation News -
Farewell Dr Nicholas Hill and Introducing Trudi Camilleri

We are very sad to be saying farewell to Dr Nicholas Hill who joined us earlier this year, taking on the role of Director  Scholarships and Alumni. Nick has become a highly valued member of the team in a very short time, but unfortunately due to family reasons will be leaving.

"I have delighted in my brief time with you, have had more fun with the John Monash Foundation team than I recall from any position I’ve had for a long time and shall miss my interactions with you all. Once a Monash, always a Monash, so au revoir rather than goodbye; please travel well, stay connected and do all the wonderful things you are destined for." - Dr Nicholas Hill. 

We are very fortunate to have Trudi Camilleri stepping into the role, ready to manage the busy selection season which is upon us. Trudi returned to Australia in 2021 following 20 years living and working in London where apart from her performance as an opera singer she worked at Bishopsgate Institute managing creative art spaces and international student housing and pastoral care with Victoria League.