29-04-2024
From a remembrance Anzac Day service in France to Olympics selection, music and research achievements and a formal function in the Consul-General's residence in New York, John Monash Scholars have truly been on the world stage in recent weeks. We hope you enjoy this update on their achievements and adventures.
Paul Ramadge
Chief Executive Officer
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Matthew Newman leads Scholars at service in Villers-Bretonneux
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Last Thursday, on the 25th of April, people across Australia paused to remember and reflect on the sacrifices, lessons and living legacy of the Anzac soldiers. Across the other side of the world in Villers-Bretonneux, a small village in northern France, a small delegation of Australian students, including several John Monash Scholars from around the UK, commemorated the 10,719 Australian casualties who died in France with no known grave.
The group gathered at the town's Australian National Memorial for the official dawn service before visiting the nearby John Monash Centre. Two of the visiting Scholars are serving in the Australian Defence Force, Lieutenant Matthew Newman (2022 Zelman Cowen John Monash Scholar) and Private Nicholas Fabbri (2022 Bob Hawke John Monash Scholar), who attended in uniform.
Villers-Bretonneux was the location of a costly counterattack against the German army in 1918 during World War I. The Australian brigades retook the French village in a battle considered by some as one of the greatest feats of the war. The town's school, sadly ruined during the combat, was later rebuilt using funds raised by Australian schoolchildren and renamed L’Ecole Victoria – the Victoria School.
This event marks the first official engagement between the John Monash Foundation and the John Monash Centre, helping to commemorate the fallen soldiers and advance public understanding of Australian veterans who served during World War I.
Australian students, including several John Monash Scholars from around the UK, gathered in the town of Villers Bretonneux to visit the Australian National Memorial and John Monash Centre on Anzac Day, April 25, 2024.
Scholars in front of the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France.
The meadows surrounding the small village of Villers-Bretonneux.
Photographs courtesy of Milan Gandhi (2022 Lee Liberman John Monash Scholar).
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The values demonstrated by those who serve the community in armed forces, including General Sir John Monash, underpin the vision and mission of the General Sir John Monash Foundation, namely service to others, compassion and selfless leadership.
We spoke to Major Amrinder Singh Ghuman (2021 Anzac Centenary John Monash Scholar) about what his lived experience in the Australian Army has taught him about leadership, and what he believes are the core lessons we can take from the Anzac legacy.
Major Amrinder Singh Ghuman is a Royal Australian Engineer of the Australian Army with more than a decade of experience leading teams in remote regions of Australia, the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. In 2023 he graduated from the London Business School with Distinction and a Master of Business Administration. He serves as the Officer Commanding / Senior Project Engineer at 19th Chief Engineer Works, a unit responsible for development and delivery of infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific.
What values does Anzac Day help to instill?
Anzac Day is a poignant reminder of the selflessness exhibited by those who served in the Australian and New Zealand Corps (and since). Their commitment to putting the needs of their platoon, brigade or nation before their own underscores the essence of leadership. As leaders, we too must prioritise service – to our teammates, organisations and the broader community.
In your various community and professional roles, how have you grown as a leader? Has this been informed by the Anzac legacy? If so, how?
I’ve always faced a dilemma when inheriting a team. How much change can I introduce without unsettling those who have been part of the organisation longer than I have? My perspective has evolved, influenced by the Anzac legend. While I deeply respect tradition and the contributions of those who came before, I recognise that effective leadership involves thoughtful adaptation. We honour the legacy by building upon it, not by adhering blindly.
Major Amrinder Singh Ghuman
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Remembering the battle that changed
World War I
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On April 24, The Conversation published an article highlighting the significance of the Battle of Hamel in northern France, led by the Australian overall commander, Lieutenant General John Monash. Monash organised the offensive for July 4, American Independence Day, marking the first Australian-American attack in history.
At 3:10am on July 4, 1918, Australian infantry, including four companies of the American 33rd Division, attacked the Germans in the town of Hamel. Within 93 minutes, the Australian-American forces had recovered vital ground, including the rail centre of Amiens, marking their efforts a success.
In the weeks following the battle, the tide began to turn for the Allies. Three months after the Battle of Hamel, fighting was over and the Allies were victorious.
General Sir John Monash
American and Australian troops during the Battle of Hamel, 1918.
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Latest News
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Deputy Consul-General hosts Scholars
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John Monash Scholars based in the north-east of the United States gathered for a reception and dinner in New York City earlier this month, hosted by Deputy Consul-General Karina Soltyszewski at the Consul-General's official residence.
Those attending included Jessica Cong (2023 Roden Cutler NSW John Monash Scholar), Dr Joe Gattas (2010 John Monash Scholar), Michael Grebla (2016 Zelman Cowen John Monash Scholar), Tess Kelly (2020 Zelman Cowen John Monash Scholar), Samuel Parker (2020 Susan and Isaac Wakil John Monash Scholar), Chris Raine (2023 Roth/Segal John Monash Harvard Scholar), Abi Rajkumar (2023 Rio Tinto John Monash Scholar), Holli Sargeant (2021 BHP John Monash Scholar) and William Witheridge (2018 Commonwealth Bank John Monash Scholar).
"This was a great opportunity to connect with new and old Scholars, including from New York, Boston and Rhode Island," William Witheridge said. "The annual event for John Monash Scholars by the Consul-General has helped build and maintain the north-east Scholar community since I moved to New York six years ago."
Later that evening, the group headed uptown for a celebratory dinner. "We had four Scholars graduating. It was a nice way to give them a bit of a send-off. It was also Will’s and Tess’s birthday, so we celebrated with a Costco chocolate mousse cake,” said Michael Grebla.
From left: Michael Grebla, Jessica Cong, Deputy Consul-General Karina Soltyszewski, Tess Kelly, Samuel Parker, Dr Joe Gattas, Abi Rajkumar, William Witheridge, Holli Sargeant and Chris Raine.
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Michael Grebla wins international composition competition
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Michael Grebla (2016 Zelman Cowen John Monash Scholar) has been awarded the Spectrum Chamber Music Composition Prize for his piece Piano Trio No. 1: In Search of Peace.
The work will receive its North American premiere later this year, performed by members of the Spectrum Chamber Music Society in Fort Worth, Texas.
"It brought me joy and hope, each day, sitting in my little East Harlem apartment creating this piece of music for friends back home despite the rapid, ever-changing realities and circumstances of the time," says Michael, who wrote the piece during the turbulent lockdown periods of 2021.
"I strive for authenticity in what I write, where the music speaks for itself, and this often means the music reflects the state of mind of the composer. I think, in this case, you'll hear a composer's search for the good."
The Melbourne Chamber Players have recorded the piano trio at ABC Studios Melbourne, due for release later in 2024.
Michael Grebla
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Associate Professor Matthew Baker (2005 John Monash Scholar) was selected to represent New Zealand at the Asia and Oceania Zonal Olympic Qualifier for men's épée (fencing). The qualifier was held last Saturday April 27 in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. Épée uses the largest and heaviest of the three fencing weapons and, while other variations of fencing are restricted to strikes above the waist, allows for the entire body as a valid target area.
While Matthew narrowly missed out on a spot in the next Games, he is still actively involved in the sport's governance.
"It's definitely my last attempt! But I am involved in the governance of the sport now also. I'm on the environment working group of the FIE (the 'FIFA of fencing') and a director in the Oceania Confederation," says Matthew.
Outside of competition, Matthew is a scientist and educator who focuses on molecular motors and bacterial flagellar. He is a visiting professor at the Department of Biology at the University of Athens (NKUA).
Associate Professor Matthew Baker
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Peter Clarke's debut in the New Zealand String Quartet
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Peter Clarke (2021 Judith Neilson Foundation John Monash Scholar) has been appointed to the New Zealand String Quartet as the second violinist. Peter has been warmly welcomed by the NZSQ, who noted in a recent press release that he “brings a wealth of experience to the Quartet and has garnered international acclaim for his leadership and virtuosity … His research on social innovation and cohesion through music is generously supported by Judith Neilson AM, the General Sir John Monash Foundation, and the American Australian Association.”
"My appointment to the New Zealand String Quartet is, for me, a dream come true," says Peter.
"The world of chamber music is something truly special and unique, and to join such an esteemed and beloved ensemble as the NZSQ is something I truly value and cherish.”
Peter Clarke
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Amy McLennan leads debate on diabetes in Nauru
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Amy McLennan (2009 John Monash Scholar) wrote an article in The Guardian last month reflecting on what we have learned in the fifty years since the first national diabetes survey was carried out in Nauru.
In writing the article, Amy drew inspiration from Bruce Pascoe, Gregory Bateson and Mary Catherine Bateson to try to make sense of why this small island nation has seen so little improvement in Type 2 diabetes prevalence, and how we can better target the root cause of the problem.
The article features in The Guardian's "A Common Condition" series, which draws attention to the immediate and long-term dangers that non-communicable diseases – including heart and respiratory diseases, cancers and diabetes – pose to individuals living in the developing world.
Amy McLennan
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Life’s one big ride for the amazing Mark Schembri
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Veterinarian, medical doctor, college rector and now Sydney Royal Show ride enthusiast Mark Schembri (2009 John Monash Scholar) has bravely boarded some of the most terrifying attractions at the showgrounds. Teaming up with students from St John's College, Mark trialled the best of what was to offer at this year's show, sharing his findings with 9 News Australia.
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Inspired by the best: Henry Marshall's PhD update
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Henry Marshall (2023 Chairman's Circle John Monash Scholar) is six month's into his PhD in Biological Sciences at the Sanger Institue, University of Cambridge. Henry is passionate about the translation of precision-based medicine, which includes genetically tailored therapeutic tools, for the management of neurodegenerative disease. We asked him how his time at Cambridge has been so far, and what he looks forward to during the remainder of his studies.
How has your time been so far at the University of Cambridge? What has surprised you about this experience?
I kick myself every day to have the opportunity to study here. It’s the chance to meet and learn from so many fascinating and extraordinary people from a vast array of backgrounds that has made this experience so incredible. I really look forward to continuing building strong relationships with them over the coming years.
The strength of the Monash community has also made the transition especially easy. We catch up regularly and am so grateful to be part of this family.
What has inspired your interest in precision medicine?
I have been most inspired by how fast the field of precision medicine, and genomics more broadly, is moving. When I commenced my studies, I was hyper-focused on the therapeutic application of genomics in a clinical healthcare setting. However, my studies have really opened my eyes to its broader applications. I’ve met people who are trying to genotype every plant and animal on Earth, and others who are developing methods to leverage DNA to efficiently synthesise enzymes for curbing plastic pollution. While my main interest will always relate back to improving human health, I am really excited by where these fields will move in the coming decades.
What are you most looking forward to during the rest of your time at Cambridge?
I am really looking forward to the unique opportunity to work alongside some of the best scientists in the world. During my six months here, I have worked under people who are pioneering new techniques to improve our understanding of cancer and ageing, whereas I have worked with others who are leading the development of synthetic biology. I have learnt so much already from these mentors, and really look forward to gaining more and more skills that I can then bring back to Australia.
Henry Marshall
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Democracy, human rights and the miracle of Indonesia: a conversation with Dr Jacqui Baker
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In 1997, a backpacking trip from Bali to Lombok threw Jacqui and her friends, then aged 19, straight into the heady world of Indonesian politics — setting her on a career-long journey toward understanding more about this incredible archipelago.
Jacqui's countless experiences across the country have been nothing short of extraordinary — from hanging with jihadists to hearing songs of revolution. She says it is the country’s kaleidoscope of perspectives that makes the nation so incredible.
We speak with Jacqui Baker (2004 John Monash Scholar) about what makes Indonesia so special, and the role Australia ought to play in supporting its social and political stability. Jacqui is a Lecturer in South-East Asian Studies at Murdoch University where she is President of the Indonesia Council. She is an editor at The Journal for Southeast Asian Studies and host of the podcast Talking Indonesia.