C.A.S. HAWKER SCHOLARS 2010 Ms Alicia Hurkmans Degree: Bachelor of Chemical Engineering and Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) Institution: University of Adelaide In Residence: St Mark’s College Career Goal: To break the stereotype engineering mould. Alicia Hurkmans is the best of Australian youth, a young person who will help maintain Australia’s reputation as a progressive, accountable and resourceful nation. As Captain of Trinity College in South Australia in 2009, Alicia’s Principal Kym Reynold’s praise of her contribution and commitment was exceptional. Her TER of 98.55 reflected her efforts and ability. Alicia set new standards in organisation, responsibility and accountability in the College captain role. Alicia is a gifted academic student and an outstanding swimmer. She took SACE Stage 2 over two years to fit with her state and national swimming commitments. Her successes as a state and national swimmer resulted in her spending time with the AIS development team. Alicia believes Australia’s future prosperity in the hands of its engineers and scientists. Australia must develop new energy efficient methods of conserving resources to support an expanding population. If Australia is to expand as a nation it must continue to develop cutting-edge technology. Alicia envisages that when she has completed her degree, she will develop technologies for use in agriculture, water treatment or energy production to support sustainable, energy efficient methods of manufacturing in Australia. Alicia is a passionate, diligent and thoughtful scientist. She has attended numerous important science events including the 2008 National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) and the 2009 Youth Australian and New Zealand Advancement of Science (ANZAAS) Conference. These experiences fostered her enthusiasm for science and have encouraged her to initiate a chapter of the Young Scientists of Australia (YSA) in Adelaide. She attended the National YSA Conference in September 2009 and is currently founding President of the Adelaide Chapter. YSA is an association for promoting science to youth. Alicia’s goal is to develop the Chapter over the next few years to encourage and provide opportunities for members to follow their own interest in and passion for science. Alicia is a natural leader who has grasped leadership opportunities on the sporting field and in the classroom whenever those opportunities arose. The role of College Captain involved the co-ordination of the Prefect Leadership team, organisation and management of College-wide events and activities, combined with an active service role throughout the Colleges’ five schools. She has planned large functions, mentored students and co-ordinated fundraisers including the 40-hour famine for World Vision, the Cancer Council’s Relay for Life and an Anglicare Food Drive. The College Captain position provided Alicia with numerous opportunities to grow and develop as a communicator, negotiator, councilor, motivator, organiser and most importantly a leader. The role fuelled her interest in public service and she hopes to engage in further leadership and service positions wherever they arise in the future. Throughout 2009 she participated in numerous public speaking roles, including master of ceremonies at the Trinity College Open Day, debating competitions and she reached the semi-finals of the Rostrum Voice of Youth Public Speaking competition. Alisha was also the College’s representative at the International Women’s Day Debate and the National Young Leaders Day in 2006 and 2007. These experiences inspired her to pursue further opportunities within politics, debating and public speaking. Alicia has been involved in numerous sporting pursuits. She was a competitive swimmer for nine years. At a National Level her best results were 5th in an Age final and 12th in an Open Women’s final. Representative teams include the Pacific School Games in 2005 and 2008, SAPSSA from 2001 to 2004, the National Youth Squad in 2002, multiple State Squads from 2001 to 2009 and Captain of the Trinity Swimming Team for the past three years. She has also participated in the School Girls Knockout Soccer team for two years and was awarded the most improved player in 2007. Alicia is currently a competitive pool lifeguard and has been selected in the State Team to represent South Australia in Canberra in 2010. Through her involvement in pool and surf rescue, she also volunteers at surf clubs during summer to create a safer swimming environment for the public on South Australian beaches.  She is employed as a lifeguard and a swim schoolteacher at two aquatic centres, balancing this work with her academic pursuits, sporting commitments, leadership responsibilities and volunteer work.       Ms Gigi Cardwell Degree: Bachelor of Business (Farm Management) Institution: Marcus Oldham College In Residence: Marcus Oldham College Career Goal: To establish her own consultancy, specializing in sustainable agricultural management. Gigi Cardwell grew up in the Mitta Mitta Valley North East Victoria on her family’s beef property. She attended the local primary school in nearby Eskdale with 60 other country students. Growing up on the land, she developed a deep and innate passion for agriculture. This passion has subsequently directed the things she has done in her life. Gigi was a border from a young age at The Scots School in Albury. She returned to her local high school at Tallangatta Secondary College to finish her senior education. She graduated from Tallangatta High School in 2002 with a TER of 85.5. After a number of years working on properties around the country, Gigi returned to her formal education and in 2009 completed a Diploma of Agribusiness at Marcus Oldham College. During her high school years, Gigi took on various leadership positions, including Sports Captain and various coaching roles. She studied guitar, violin and piano and enjoyed being involved in school productions. She loved athletics and played every sport she could find time to participate in. These included hockey, netball, girls’ football and cricket. In her final year at high school in 2002, Gigi received the Young Person of the Year Award for the Mitta Mitta Valley for her outstanding contribution to the community. Also in 2002, she was selected to attend the Lady Sommers Leadership camp. This was a life changing experience, leaving her inspired and highly motivated. Since graduating in 2002, she has followed her passion, working on various properties in Australia, New Zealand and Canada including as a Jillaroo in the Northern Territory. She has conducted her own business educating and selling stock horses. She is an extremely capable horsewoman and has excelled in difficult outback cattle station environments. Gigi gained much practical experience and knowledge, however she felt she lacked awareness of the business components of the industry. This led her to enrol at Marcus Oldham College and with the support of the Helen McPherson Smith Trust Scholarship in 2009, Gigi graduated at a distinction level from the one year Diploma of Agribusiness. The knowledge she gained at Marcus resulted in her wanting to learn more. She has returned to the College to complete the Bachelor of Business (Farm Management) Degree over the next 18 months. By obtaining this qualification and the knowledge that goes with it, Gigi believes she will be an asset to Australia’s agricultural industry, an industry she is passionate about. She is increasingly concerned about the impact of climate change and over population in Australia and overseas. Due to the use of conventional European farming methods, combined with changing climatic conditions, the Australian landscape has changed dramatically and is now being faced with large scale land degradation, erosion and salinity. To ensure the long-term sustainability, productivity and profitability of the agricultural industry, current farming practices need to change. Gigi believes Australia has a lot to learn from the practices some other counties are implementing. In Portugal, farmers are being paid to farm carbon. By sowing permanent perennial pastures rich in legumes, they’re increasing the levels of carbon in degraded soils. This is not only helping to balance their greenhouse gas emissions to comply with the Kyoto Protocol, is it encouraging biodiversity to create much healthier and productive agricultural land. By promoting healthy soil, with year round ground cover, water retention is also greatly improved. In a country so dependent on water and in desperate need to reduce emissions, Australia, where feasible, would benefit immensely from embracing a similar system. After graduating, Gigi wants to travel and add to her overseas experience. She wants to work with farmers in Australia, helping them to become more productive and efficient with minimal impact to the environment. She believes that with her experience, education and enthusiasm she will be able to help this great country improve its most valuable yet volatile industry.        Mr. Jaan Butler Degree: Bachelor of Arts Institution: Australian National University In Residence: Burgmann College Career Goal: To work as a professional historian, and/or to pursue a career in politics. Jaan Butler is an outstanding student committed to making a difference locally, nationally and internationally. He has demonstrated high-level leadership skills, self-direction and initiative and is a positive role model for other young adults. Jaan is passionate about history, the importance of maintaining tradition and celebrating the past. Jaan graduated from the Bendigo Senior Secondary College (BSSC) in 2008 with a ENTER score of 97.3. He was a member of the student leadership team. He was a strong advocate for students in decision-making and a highly valued student representative on committees when there was a strong social justice cause. Jaan raised awareness of many issues within the school community including the Burma cyclone and the work of World Vision. He regularly represented the Bendigo College on various occasions including Civic receptions, media interviews, the parliamentary Inquiry into Dress Codes and School Uniforms in Victorian Schools, the Victorian Youth Parliament, the College debating team, Plain English Public Speaking events, College open days, Relay for Life and the Adopt a Highway program. In 2008 Jaan was named the Bendigo Senior Secondary College Student of the Year. In year 12, he was the Vice-President of the Student Council. BSSC is the largest VCE provider in Victoria, with over 1700 students in years 11 and 12. Jaan was heavily involved in planning school events, especially the college’s centenary in 2007. In addition, he was a student representative on the college Education Committee and consulted the Student Council in decision-making on timetables, assessment and reporting. He represented both BSSC and his previous school, Flora Hill Secondary College in debating and public speaking and was a Master of Ceremonies at college concerts, awards nights and ANZAC Day ceremonies. Jaan was also a member of the Bendigo Colleges’ Symphonic Band. Like many regionally based students Jaan is a doer. Last year he took a gap year and worked at a local meat works to qualify for a Youth Allowance. For as long as he can remember, he has been fascinated by the past. His hometown of Bendigo is a living monument to the Victorian gold rush in both its architecture and identity. Growing up there kindled in him a passion for Australian history. His interest in the complexity of the human experience is also profoundly influenced by his Polish grandfather’s life. During the Second World War he was conscripted into the Polish army, taken prisoner, lost his entire family and later migrated to Adelaide, where he worked as a taxi driver. To celebrate it’s 90th year, in 2006 and 2007 Jaan researched the history of one of his former schools, Flora Hill Secondary College. His published history Life’s Work, a brief history of Flora Hill Secondary School, 1916-2006 has been added to the collection of publications in the Bendigo Goldfields Library. Jaan is a caring and compassionate young man with a commitment to social justice and the recognition of the successes of young people. He is highly intelligent and uses his talents to ensure he makes a positive difference to the lives of others.     Mr. Jonathan Hamer Degree: Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law Institution: University of Adelaide In Residence: St Mark’s College Career Goal: Foreign affairs and diplomacy. Jonathan Hamer is an intelligent, sensitive young man with an enthusiasm for learning. He is an outstanding all round student excelling in academic, sporting and extra curricula activities. Jonathan Hamer is a leader. He graduated from St Peter’s College in Adelaide in 2008 with a TER of 98.5. As a year 13 student in 2009 he was invited by the Headmaster and School Council to take on the position of School Captain of St Peter’s College, a role he served with distinction. His excellent rapport with both his peers and staff coupled with his excellent communication skills ensured he was able to fulfill his obligations in a calm and considered way. He was born at Ararat in Victoria. His father was a rural GP. He has spent time in America and has traveled throughout Europe and Australia. These experiences fostered an interest in the international community and its relations. Jonathan’s formative schooling was at Immanuel Primary School and Immanuel College in Adelaide. During his primary school years he developed a love of sport, music and singing. He was part of St Peter’s Cathedral Choir. The Choir did several singing tours including one to Bungaree Station, the birthplace and final resting place of C.A.S. Hawker. The Choir slept in the shearer’s quarters and sang in St Michael’s church at Bungaree. In 2002 he took on the role of Head Chorister and he sang in two South Australian Opera productions, Parsifal (2002) and Dead Man Walking (2003). He played the role of youngest brother of Teddy Tahu Rhodes. Some other music highlights were a tour of England and France in 2008, where they played in Westminster Cathedral on ANZAC Day and on the western front for Somme Day. He also participated in a workshop and concert with the Australian Chamber Orchestra. He worked in six College drama productions as well as getting involved in various house activities including a week volunteering at the Julia Farr Centre. Despite all of these activities and achievements, his biggest regret is that he didn’t have time to do more debating, mooting and playing rugby. In 2004 he entered St Peter’s College with the support of a generous academic and music scholarship. The College provided him outstanding opportunities and he was able to develop many life interests. Jonathan played College cricket and in 2007 was the U17 athletics champion runner up. His played football in the First XVIII for three years. 2008 was a stellar year for Jonathan at St Peter’s College. He was a Prefect, Da Costa House Captain and Music Captain. He won colours for football, orchestra, string orchestra, choir and drama.  He was awarded The Schubert Scholarship for Leadership, Academic Ability and Service, the DM Fowler Football Cup for Outstanding Service and Ability, the JAT Mortlock Prize for English Studies, the PG Osborn Performing Arts Prize and the FJ & HV Thwaites Music Prize. In addition to extracurricular activities, St Peter’s has always focused on academic excellence. He decided in year 10 that his passion was the humanities. He has always enjoyed history and reading but his understanding and appreciation of history and English grew in his senior years. He also has a keen interest in politics, especially foreign affairs. As School Captain he felt he had an obligation to give back to the school and he believed the position provided him with a chance to serve others and have a positive influence on those around him. ‘To whom much has been given, much is expected’ (Luke 12:48) is a verse he constantly reminds himself of and believes is pertinent to St Peter’s College and to almost every Australian. He was able to coordinate fundraising for the Victorian bush fire appeals and for Violet day. The position of School Captain also brought him into contact with an indigenous community from Point Pierce. This continues to hold a special interest for him, as the plight of Australia’s Aboriginals is a blight on this country’s record. He believes if we are to take clear moral leadership on the global stage, we must first get it right at home. In terms of his intellectual promise and leadership potential, Jonathan has already demonstrated qualities and commitment that make him a worthy recipient of a C.A.S. Hawker Scholarship.       Ms Madeleine McCloy Degree: Bachelor of Economics Bachelor of Law Institution: Australian National University In Residence: Burgmann College Career Goal: To develop effective methods of sustainable economic development for the poor and disadvantaged. Madeleine is an extraordinary young woman. She has a strong sense of social justice, service to country and the importance of all round achievement.  She was College Captain and completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in November 2008 at Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College in Sydney with a TER of 98.25. Throughout her College career, Madeleine amassed an almost endless collection of awards in every dimension of College life. The awards have been a result of steadfast application, natural ability and ever present intellectual curiosity allied with a personal passion to seek truth in its various contexts. Her IB results are remarkable. She achieved first place in higher level English, Biology and Economics and standard level Mathematics and Music. She is passionate about economics and the role it can play in improving the lives of millions worldwide. She is inspired by the concepts of micro-finance and grass roots aid and would like to influence economic policy within Australia and its neighbouring regions particularly that affecting indigenous Australians. She hopes to work within the Australian political field, for a non-government organisation committed to development or for an economic institution such as the IMF. As part of the IB Programme she completed an extended essay focusing on the economic situation of Mutitjulu, a remote Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory. She investigated community unemployment and reasons for it, the effects of prior government policies and possible ways to stimulate economic activity within the community. She was confronted with the injustices that exist in Australia and began to question the messages portrayed by the media and the decisions made by Australian governments. In 2006 Madeleine was chosen to attend a Global Young Leaders Conference in Washington D.C. and New York which focused on world issues and simulated international debate of current world climate and economic challenges. Educated by Mercy women, she was constantly encouraged to seek out social injustice and do something about it. In 2008 she took part in her first Edmund Rice Children’s Camp, a weeklong camp designed to give kids in ‘underprivileged’ or ‘disadvantaged’ situations a one-week holiday to have fun and just be kids. The joy in the kids’ faces after a day on camp was enough to bring her back in 2009 when she took up the additional challenge of being the camp’s Team Leader. This role meant coordinating the activity program for twenty young adults and twenty kids and ensuring the week ran smoothly. Madeleine plans to continue her involvement in the camps in coming years. Madeleine has a strong sense of faith and in 2005 she was part of a pilgrimage to Cologne for World Youth Day, following the footsteps of St Paul throughout Greece, Turkey, Poland and Germany. In 2006 she went on a two-month exchange to Germany, staying with a family in the small town of Hohnstein in the East Saxony region. She is a passionate musician. She has studied voice for seven years and euphonium for eight years. She has sung with the Australian wide choir Gondwana Voices, been part of many school ensembles and a Music Tour to New Zealand in 2005. She has sung solo at school events, weddings and in school musical productions. In addition to all of these achievements, Madeleine was a keen debater and public speaker as well as a member of the hockey, netball, touch football, cross country and swimming teams. In 2008, the College acknowledged Madeleine’s qualities by awarding her the Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College Award for Christian Leadership and the Mother Ignatius McQuoin Award for the Girl who most Personifies the School Motto Religio Scientia Cultus (Religion, Knowledge Culture).   Ms Melanie Johnson Degree: Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor of Laws Institution: University of Adelaide In Residence: St Mark’s College Career Goal: Public health with the WHO or similar NGO and fight for the rights of the less privileged.                              If there were such a thing as a dream team for model students, C.A.S. Hawker Scholar Ms Melanie Johnson would be a player. She is a keen, enthusiastic and committed student. Her teachers say of her that Melanie fits into the ‘not to forgotten’ category for all the best reasons. She is a capable young lady, mature beyond her years. At an early stage of her secondary education at Unley State High School in Adelaide, Melanie was identified as a student with high intellectual potential and was placed in the school’s Gifted and Talented class. Melanie graduated in 2008 with a TER of 98.3 and in 2009 she commenced her studies at the University of Adelaide. Her academic achievements are constant and outstanding. She was Dux in 2008 and the recipient of the Gillard Award for Outstanding Leadership. The Deputy PM is a past student at Unley High School. The Gillard Award is for outstanding participation in and leadership of a wide range of school extra-curricula or community activities: and possessing a high level of personal integrity and ethical behaviour. In her final year at Unley, Melanie’s achievements were recognized with awards for service, good sportsmanship, participation, academic excellence, Mathematics, French, Biology, Physical Education and Chemistry - to name but a few. She considered medicine but decided that Health Sciences will allow her to achieve more at the grass roots level. Law will help her to gain invaluable skills of negotiation and informed debate. At the conclusion of her degrees, Melanie hopes to work in Australia improving health outcomes of Aboriginal people and those in rural areas. With that experience she wants to work in the field of public health with WHO or a similar NGO and with a law degree, provide assistance in working with bureaucracy and to fight for the rights of those less privileged. Melanie participated in a school Amnesty International group and is now a member of the United Nations Youth Association. Her sporting participation and successes are also outstanding. Canoe polo, triathlons, athletics, swimming, netball, basketball, touch football, AFL, hockey, cross country, orienteering, dance and mountain biking are on the list - and she holds a Silver Medal for the Duke of Edinburgh Award. She is both a referee and a coach of junior teams in a number of sports both in a paid and volunteer capacity. Maintaining a life balance with study is always a challenge however Melanie has achieved this difficult balancing act. She is a member of the Matrics Netball Club State League squad and was selected at 16 to be a member of the Women’s Open State Touch Football Squad. This has meant travelling annually to Nationals and Australian University games. Melanie grew up in a family that values knowledge and discovery and the family travelled extensively around Australia. Accompanying her father on work trips to the APY Lands gave her a chance not only to witness the lives of others, but also helped her begin to understand the cultures of Australia’s indigenous people and recognise their connection with the land. When she completed year 12, Melanie trekked around Borneo for 3 weeks. Travelling from Australia on her own, the trip not only gave her the confidence of travelling solo in a foreign country, but also helped her understand how easy it is to pass judgement on things that we don’t really understand. This journey encouraged Melanie to think more broadly and consider that there are several sides to every story and to understand the often hidden complexities behind every problem. Through her sport and studies she hopes to be able to develop the personal skills to contribute towards the global society and help others become empowered and reach the position where they can do the same. Ms Sarah Dickins Degree: Bachelor of Development Studies & Bachelor of Laws Institution: University of Adelaide In Residence: St Mark’s College Career Goal: Environmental law and environmental policy development. Sarah Dickins is an outstanding student and was a positive contributor to her school and local Mt Gambier community. Her academic performance at Mount Gambier High School was exemplary. Her TER score in 2008 was 99.2. On several occasions Sarah was presented with the Principal’s Award in recognition of outstanding citizenship within the school. She was awarded numerous academic prizes during her secondary education across a range of subjects, a tribute to her commitment to her studies. Sarah completed two-year 12 mathematics subjects during her year 11, scoring a Merit Certificate in Mathematical Studies. Sarah also scored high distinctions and a state prize in the national Westpac Maths Competition. In 2008 she won the award for the most outstanding academic achiever at Mount Gambier High. Sarah is an all rounder. She has won age championships in athletics, holds the record for discus and has won a number of medals at state athletics championships. In 2007 Sarah was the state champion Under 18 hammer thrower. She is an active and competitive swimmer, cross country runner and an enthusiastic member of the Mount Gambier High School girl’s soccer team. Sarah’s most outstanding achievements are possibly in the fields of debating and public speaking. In 2006 Sarah was the Junior South Australian Champion for Rostrum Voice of Youth. In 2008 Sarah won the senior state section and was placed 2nd nationally. As a speaker, she is enthusiastic, articulate, powerful and compelling and has an ability to think cogently and deliver both prepared and impromptu speeches. Sarah speaks on topics she is passionate about, usually environmental issues with a scientific background. Topics include the water crisis, nuclear power, disposable nappies, fluoridation, organ donation, the financial crisis and the Youth Allowance changes.   In order to help develop others’ public speaking, Sarah has attained Certificate level AMEB Speech in Action, which qualifies her to teach others.  She has run debating and public speaking workshops at her high school and two primary schools. She has often volunteered at the Mount Gambier Eisteddfods, announcing in both the Music and Speech and Drama sections, and being the critique runner in the Debating section. She has also adjudicated numerous debates at primary and high school level for many different schools. As a result, she has not only developed her own skills in both impromptu and prepared public speaking, but has helped advance the skills of others. Four youths she mentored have gone on to the national level in public speaking competitions. Hundreds of local students have also developed their confidence and speech writing abilities. Sarah has found this to be very rewarding, providing other students with the same sorts of opportunities and assistance she was given. Sarah believes a strong community cares for and nurtures all of its members, from the most disadvantaged groups to the most privileged. She believes the worldwide distribution of resources is inequitable, and for this reason she has been a group leader for 6 years of the World Vision 40 Hour Famine, raising over $5000 to fund sustainable projects in third world countries. She is also a committee member on the Sunrise Community Soup Kitchen, volunteering to help serve food on a weekly basis to those in need in her local community. Sarah has been a member of the Mayfair Choir for the past 6 years. The choir sings at many local functions as well as performing for the aged. This volunteer work allows Sarah the opportunity to both give back to her community. It also provides a great sense of pride and a feeling of belonging. Sarah has also been a panelist for the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) for the past two years, helping to interview, select and prepare participants. In her gap year in 2009, Sarah lived and worked in Canada for six months including as a volunteer at the Winter Olympics. She also worked in a local potato production and processing company. Both were life-changing experiences. Sarah is passionate about many things but her two real passions are Science and Law. They are the two degrees she has chosen to study at Adelaide University. Her life journey will continue to be filled with high achievement and compassion for others.     Click here for other Hawker Scholars profiles > Scholarship History The Charles Hawker Story News Frequently Asked Questions Current Scholars Application Form