Hawker Scholarships presented by Australian of the Year

2019 Australians of the Year Dr. Richard Harris SC OAM and Dr. Craig Challen SC OAM were recognised for their heroic efforts as part of an international rescue mission to save 12 boys from flooded caves in Thailand last year. South Australian recipient Dr. Harris SC OAM presented four new Charles Hawker Scholars with their scholarship certificates this afternoon at a ceremony held at St Mark’s College in Adelaide.

The four new scholars are studying Medicine, Agriculture, Law, International Relations and International Security Studies. The 2019 scholars have studied in Adelaide (SA), Perth (WA), Williamstown (VIC) and Port Lincoln (SA). Forty-five friends and family, college representatives, current scholars, members of the Alumni and Trustees of the C.A.S. Hawker Scholarship attended the function at St Mark’s College.

The four 2019 Charles Hawker Scholarship recipients are:

Miss Sophie LUDBROOK is from Mylor (SA). She was educated at Scotch College, Hamilton
Secondary College & Marden Senior College (SA). Sophie is residing at St Mark’s College and is
enrolled in the Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery degrees at the University of Adelaide.

Miss Kaidy MORGAN from Coulta (SA), was educated at St Joseph’s School in Port Lincoln
(SA). Kaidy is in residence at St Mark’s College and she is studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree at the University of Adelaide.

Miss Yasmin POOLE from Williamstown (VIC) has been educated at the AB Paterson College
(VIC) and the Australian National University (ACT). Yasmin is in residence at Burgmann College.
She completed her first year of Bachelor of Law / Bachelor of International Relations degrees
at the ANU in 2018.

Mr. Finnegan ROWBOTTAM is from Floreat (WA). He was educated at Hale School in Perth
(WA). Finnegan is enrolled in Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of International Security
Studies degrees at ANU. He is in residence at Burgmann College.

Mrs. Lilias Needham established the Charles Hawker Scholarship in memory of her brother Charles Allan Seymour Hawker. Today, each of these residential scholarships is valued at up to $60,000.00 over three years. It is one of the most generous privately funded scholarships available to undergraduate and postgraduate students in Australia.

Since 1990, the Trustees have awarded more than six million dollars to 126 young Australians, including a significant number from regional areas. The four successful 2019 candidates were awarded Hawker Scholarships from an Australia wide field of 134 applicants.

“I warmly congratulate the 2019 scholars.  Each of them has already displayed a strong commitment to the splendid ideals upon which the Charles Hawker Scholarship Memorial Trust Fund is founded. They are a talented group of young Australian scholars with a social conscious and an inquiring mind. I wish them well in their studies.

“I commend the Trustees for the significant contribution the scholarship continues to make to the education of an increasing number of young Australians,” Dr. Harris SC OAM said.

There are a number of scholarships awarded each year. The Trustees offer them to capable students of principle and character, who are committed to Australia’s future. The Charles Hawker Scholarship perpetuates the memory and commemorates the achievements of one of Australia’s most respected pastoral pioneers. Born on May 16th 1894 at Bungaree homestead near Clare in South Australia, Charles Hawker was educated at Geelong Church of England Grammar School and Trinity College, Cambridge. Student, soldier, pastoralist and statesman Charles Allan Seymour Hawker died in the Kyeema air disaster on October 25th, 1938.

Undergraduate and postgraduate Hawker Scholars are able to attend a range of educational institutions. These include the Australian National, Adelaide, Flinders, South Australia and New England Universities and Marcus Oldham College. Postgraduate Charles Hawker Scholars are also able to follow in Charles Hawker’s footsteps by studying at the University of Cambridge UK.

“Charles Hawker had a lasting impact on Australian politics and all members of the federal house had an enormous respect for him during his time as Australia’s first Minister for Commerce in the Lyons government in the 1930s.

“He was a great Australian who offered his best through his commitment to his country, countrymen and women and democracy; these are values I hope the 2019 scholarship winners take with them into their studies. Through his example and these scholarships it is my hope that public service will be included in the career options for a number of the 2019 recipients.

“C.A.S. Hawker was a truly remarkable man and a great Australian. This scholarship is a fitting tribute to his memory and each of these four scholars is a much deserved recipient,” former Speaker of the House of Reps and Hawker family member Hon. David Hawker AO said during the presentation at St Mark’s College.

Selection is based on personal qualities as well as academic ability. Applications for the 2020 Charles Hawker Scholarships open on December 9th 2019 and close on January 8th 2020.  An application form and further information is available from www.hawkerscholarship.org or by contacting the secretary to the Trustees on 08 8127 1654.

More Information: 

Cesare Silvestri
Secretary to the Trustees
C.A.S. Hawker Scholarship
08 8127 1654
cesare.silvestri@aetlimited.com.au

Ian Doyle
Media Coordinator
C.A.S. Hawker Scholarship
0417 819 189
dms@iinet.net.au