C.A.S. HAWKER SCHOLARS 2001 STEPHEN MICHELSON Hawker Scholar: 2001 - 2004 Degree: Bachelor of Arts/Law Institution: Australian National University, Canberra Residence: Burgmann College Stephen is proud to say "I'm a local product of Wangaratta, a rural town of 18,000 people nestled at the gateway of the Victorian Alpine region." Stephen attended the local primary school and regional Catholic College. In 1996 he entered Geelong Grammar School, the same school attended by Charles Hawker in his youth. Stephen was an exceptional student at Geelong Grammar. He graduated with a Victorian Certificate of Education score of 95.95. He studied English, Chemistry, International Relations, Mathematical Methods and Classical Societies and Cultures. In his final two years at Geelong Grammar Stephen received numerous academic and community service awards. These included the John F Mann Prize for Service, awarded for 'exceptional service to school and local community', the Webb Cup for 'outstanding humanity and service to Manifold House' and the Sinclair Trust Prize for 'exceptional initiative and enterprise with the community.' He's held various positions of responsibility within the school from house prefect to house music captain. He participated in school swimming, athletics, football, tennis and cross-country and was an active member of the Timbertop Outdoor Education Programme. In 2000, Stephen achieved a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. He is an accomplished musician, public speaker, volunteer for Red Cross and Salvation Army annual door knock appeals, is an active member of the United Nations Youth Association of Australia and was recently selected to attend a series of 'Future Leaders' conferences aimed at young leaders of the future. Stephen is a resident of Burgmann College at the ANU where he is studying an Arts/Law Degree. He is an intelligent, talented and articulate young Australian. Stephen Michelson is a very worthy recipient of a 2001 Charles Hawker Scholarship. HEIDI THOMPSON Hawker Scholar: 2001 - 2004 Degree: Bachelor of Arts / Journalism Institution: University of South Australia, Adelaide Residence: St. Mark's College Heidi Thompson grew up at Wandilo, a small rural community a short distance from Mt. Gambier in the SouthEast of South Australia. Heidi attended the Mulga Street Primary School and successfully completed her secondary studies last year at the Mt. Gambier High School. Her subjects included English, Legal, Social and Geography Studies and Biology. Heidi's tertiary entrance rank at the completion of her secondary studies was 92.05. In 2000, Heidi was School Captain, co-chair of the SSC and member of the school council at Mt. Gambier High School. She is an accomplished musician, enjoys calisthenics, tennis and swimming and has won numerous debating awards. She was a participant in the Rostrum Voice of Youth Competition, the Lions Youth of the Year and the Apex and Glossop debating teams. Heidi is now a resident here at St. Mark's College and is studying at the University of South Australia where she is enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Journalism Degree. Heidi has been politically aware for much of her life. Heidi has already indicated a keen interest in the workings of the State and Australian Parliaments. She has represented her school at the Highlife Leadership Seminar held in Adelaide in 1999 and the Governor's School Leader's Reception at Government House. Heidi has already displayed a strong commitment to the ideals upon which the Hawker Scholarship is founded. She has an inquiring mind, she sets and achieves personal goals and seeks through her efforts to better herself and as a result to make Australia a better country. Heidi is a worthy recipient of a 2001 Hawker Scholarship. She joins 27 other young Australians who have been awarded Charles Hawker Scholarships, since 1991. The Charles Hawker Scholarship is rightly becoming known as Australia's 'Rhodes'. KATHERINE ASHBY Hawker Scholar: 2001 - 2004 Degree: Bachelor of Arts / Law Institution: Australian National University, Canberra Residence: Burgmann College Katherine Ashby was born at Bendigo in Victoria. She attended the Flora Hill Secondary College and the Bendigo Senior Secondary College where she successfully completed her secondary studies in 2000. She studied English, Political, Legal and International Studies, German and Biology. Katherine's VCE score was 98.35. She was College Dux of Political Studies with a score of 48, placing her 7th in Victoria within the subject. While she has, and no doubt will continue to be an exceptional academic student, Katherine is proudest of her participation in a range of school and community activities over recent years. She was named 'Student of the Year for 2000', presented to the student who achieves 'high academic results, involves themselves in many extra-curricular activities and displays strong leadership qualities.' Katherine was also awarded the Education Trust Victoria Student Leadership Award last year through the Victorian Department of Education. Katherine has already displayed a strong commitment to the ideals upon which the Hawker Scholarship is founded. In 1999, Katherine attended the Victorian State School's Constitutional Convention, which prompted her to join the Centenary of Federation Foundation. In March last year, she attended the National School's Constitutional Convention in Canberra as Victorian Delegate. As part of the Talkback Classroom programme on ABC Radio last year, she interviewed Federal Minister for Health Dr. Michael Wooldridge. She subsequently began a rural version of the programme in the Bendigo area to discuss local issues. Katherine is a resident at Burgmann College and is enrolled at the Australian National University in Canberra. She is in her first year of a Bachelor of Arts/Law Degree. Katherine intends to use her degree as the foundation of her intended career as a Member of Parliament. Click here for other Hawker Scholars profiles > Scholarship History The Charles Hawker Story News Frequently Asked Questions Current Scholars Application Form