Australia’s best and brightest presented scholarships at Government House
The General Sir John Monash 2023 cohort was hosted by His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd)
The General Sir John Monash Foundation 2023 Scholars cohort have last week been presented with their scholarships at Government House in Canberra after a rigorous selection process finalised late last year.
Hosted by the Foundation's Patron-In-Chief, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, the ceremony was also attended by a number of distinguished guests including Shadow Minister for Education, The Hon. Sarah Henderson, Professor Jennie Shaw, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President of the University of Adelaide, and First Assistant Secretary Higher Education Division, Australian Government Department of Education, Kelly Pearce.
The John Monash Scholarships are among the most important postgraduate scholarships currently available in Australia with 15 – 20 awarded each year to outstanding Australians who demonstrate remarkable qualities of leadership.
The ceremony signifies the beginning of a rich academic journey for the scholars who will soon be attending some of the world's most prestigious institutions including Oxford, Harvard, University College London, KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Columbia University.
Following the ceremony, this year's cohort will have access to professional development workshops as well as opportunities to network with their fellow scholars in preparation for overseas study.
The Foundation’s CEO, Annemarie Rolls said, “It is so fulfilling to see such a talented and diverse group of incredible Australians given the opportunity to access further learning from experts across the world, which will facilitate them being able to excel in their chosen fields and develop their leadership skills.”
“The ceremony at Government House and two days of leadership workshops gives our 2023 scholars a unique chance to connect with each other and establish personal and professional relationships that will last a lifetime. Previous cohorts have returned from study and worked together to break new ground in science, collaborate on projects to help underprivileged Australian’s and mentor the next generation of academics and leaders.”
“John Monash Scholarship recipients epitomise the character of Sir John, one of Australia’s finest leaders, who said that one of the responsibilities of education is to befit persons for the higher duties of citizenship”, the Governor-General said.
“The 2023 Scholars are among Australia’s best and brightest and I look forward to hearing of the positive contributions they will make in their respective fields.”
2023 Tim Fischer John Monash Scholar and Wallabies professional rugby player Tomas Robertson plans to study a Masters in Public Policy at the University of Oxford. He describes how he hopes to continue the legacy of leadership and mentorship that is associated with being a scholar.
“To be a John Monash scholar means that someone else is investing in me because they believe in the ideas that I have. Over the years I have had a John Monash scholar as a mentor and role model, so to now have my name amongst this cohort of Scholars is incredible”.
2023 Victorian Government Scholar and proud Nyiyaparli woman, Karri Walker sees the John Monash scholarship as recognition of First Peoples’ ambitions and self-determination.
“Being a John Monash Scholar is more than just financial support. It is a recognition that my goal of First Peoples achieving the right to self-determination is an issue of national importance. With this award comes a responsibility to use the power of education to facilitate meaningful change in Australia.”
The 2023 scholarship cohort includes:
- Jessica Cong - Roden Cutler NSW John Monash Scholar
- Bridget Dunne - Zelman Cowen John Monash Scholar
- Sienna Lake - Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO John Monash Scholar
- Henry Marshall - Chairman’s Circle John Monash Scholar
- Nicholas Maurer - BHP John Monash Scholar
- Eve Poland - Australian Universities’ John Monash Scholar
- Abi Rajkumar - Rio Tinto John Monash Scholar
- Tomas Robertson - Tim Fischer John Monash Scholar
- Chris Raine - Roth/Segal John Monash Harvard Scholar
- Mathilde Ritman - Wesfarmers John Monash Scholar
- Hugo Rourke - Commonwealth Bank John Monash Scholar
- Alex Schutz - The John and Anna Belfer Trust John Monash Scholar
- Madison Smith - Bob Hawke John Monash Scholar
- Germain Tobar - Australian Universities’ John Monash Scholar
- Karri Walker - Victorian Government John Monash Scholar