Scholars meet with Ambassador to the US for leadership session

^{Left to right: Ben Mylius, 2014 Murray-Darling Basin Authority John Monash Scholar; Michael Grebla, 2016 Zelman Cowen John Monash Scholar, Dr Johnathon Ehsani, 2008 John Monash Scholar; Bridget Hickey, 2017 Zelman Cowen John Monash Scholar; Mark Shelton, 2017 Zelman Cowen John Monash Scholar; The Hon. Mr Arthur Sinodinos AO; Samuel Parker, 2020 Susan and Isaac Wakil John Monash Scholar; William Witheridge, 2018 Commonwealth Bank John Monash Scholar; Dr Brett Shannon, 2021 Australian Universities’ John Monash Scholar.}

A selection of scholars joined the Ambassador in Washington DC to discuss leadership and collaboration between the two nations.

The Ambassador of Australia to the United States, The Hon. Mr Arthur Sinodinos AO, privately hosted a select group of nine scholars to discuss the need to continue building academic networks overseas to help develop Australia’s future leaders and continue upholding the strong relationship with the US. 

The private round table hosted over the weekend featured scholars specialising in a range of disciplines including public health, engineering, law, sustainability, arts, communications, science and economics and focussed on the opportunities for collaboration and Australian leadership in business, government and diplomacy with the goal of further expanding the Foundations academic network across the country.

Mr Sinodinos said, “A pleasure spending the afternoon with this outstanding group of Monash Scholars. The postgraduate students are studying everything from neuroscience, to medicine & music composition in the US. They are great ambassadors for Australia & are honouring the legacy of Sir John Monash”.

2008 John Monash Scholar, Dr Johnathon Ehsani led the cohort of Australian academics and said of the reception.

“This was an invaluable opportunity for Australian scholars to dialogue with Arthur Sinodinos, the Australian Ambassador to the US. He offered interesting perspectives on leadership, drawing from his experiences at the highest levels of the private sector and government. As scholars, we were able to pose questions and gain insights on current issues and challenges facing the nation and the world.

Australia is a nation of innovators and deep thinkers with academics breaking new ground in their fields. Through this visit we've been able to strengthen existing relationships and forge new connections amongst scholars which will undoubtedly lead to further collaboration in solving the challenges of our time”.

2018 Commonwealth Bank John Monash Scholar William Witheridge said, “For me, it was a great experience hearing his {Mr Sinodinos} views on what makes a successful leader and bringing about positive change. Also, his perspective on the strengths and differences between Australia and the US, and what each country can learn from the other. I also really appreciated time together with new and familiar Monash Scholars based in the US at the centre of American history and politics. This community of Scholars is special and the conversations were inspiring for me.”  

The nine scholars in attendance included:

Dr Johnathon Ehsani - Professor in Health Policy and Management
Ben Mylius - Environmental Lawyer
Bridget Hickey - Journalist
Michael Grebla - Composer
Samuel Parker - Neural Engineering
William Witheridge - Economist
Dr Brett Shannon - Occupational and Environmental Registrar
Mark Shelton - Software Engineer

The ambassadorial roundtable follows the Foundation’s recent extended partnership with RioTinto in which the company donated A$2.5 million towards an perpetual scholarship as well as a 5-year agreement with BHP which sees the company donate A$300,000 a year to new scholars looking to become future Australian leaders.