2020 John Monash Scholars Announced
20 outstanding Australians who will help shape our future have been awarded John Monash Scholarships. This diverse group represent all States and Territories and have degrees from 14 different Australian Universities. They include: a GP from rural Northern Territory dedicated to addressing the most pressing health inequities faced by our nation, an ocean climate modeller working on world-leading research to save our oceans, an engineer committed to developing new methods for battery storage in medical devices, a creative technologist who grew up in the Torres Strait Islands who is passionate about ensuring new creative technologies can help to improve the livelihood of all Australians through innovation and a doctor from Wagga Wagga who intends to lead dementia research and bring back vital therapeutics, drug trials and care to our ageing population.
Among the 2020 cohort are the inaugural Bob Hawke AC John Monash Scholar and the Tim Fischer AC John Monash Scholar. The scholars to be awarded these special, new scholarships named for two great Australian leaders, funded by the Australian Government, will be announced at a reception in Canberra on the 3rd December 2019.
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 new cohort will undertake their postgraduate studies at world leading institutions in the UK, USA, Asia and Europe, such as, Oxford, Cambridge, University College London, Kings College London, Princeton, Harvard, Columbia, INSEAD, MIT, and Sciences Po.
This year’s recipients 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. Out of 324 who applied, just 20 individuals were offered Scholarships for their study commencing in 2020. 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 2020 cohort tips the total number of John Monash Scholars to 202. With the first Scholarships awarded in 2004, this growing community of Scholars is now contributing to Australia as scientists, academics, entrepreneurs, lawyers, barristers, artists and in vital areas of domestic and foreign policy.
“Completing our selection process and awarding the successful applicants their scholarships is always a time to celebrate and also be thankful that we are in the position to do so through the support of so many”, said Chairman of the General Sir John Monash Foundation, Jillian Segal AO. “This is a particularly special year for the Foundation as we take on the honour of stewarding the two new perpetual Scholarships awarded by the Government this year in celebration of Bob Hawke AC and Tim Fischer AC – two great Australians”.
“It is a privilege for the Foundation to be in the position to identify great Australian talent and facilitate the support which enables them to fulfil their potential through post graduate study. Through them we are all part of ensuring the best future for our country and feel inspired by the hope they bring”, says Annemarie Rolls, Chief Executive Officer.
General Sir John Monash was a civil engineer and an Australian military commander of the First World War. He is remembered as one of the best Allied generals of the Great War and perhaps Australia’s most famous military commander. He was also a leader outside of his military career through his many contributions to civilian life; such as being a founding member of the first Rotary Club of Australia, advocate for the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance, principal organiser of annual observance of ANZAC day, first manager of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne. It is a great honour to award Scholarships in the name of one of Australia’s great leaders. John Monash contributed so much to Australia, and now these Scholars will carry forward his name and values as a part of their own heritage, continuing the legacy of altruistic leadership and citizenship to the benefit of all of Australians.