Current Scholars

SIR ROBERT MENZIES MEMORIAL RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP
IN THE ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES

This research scholarship, valued at $27,500 per annum for each of two years, is open to graduates in any of the health sciences who have enrolled for a PhD in an Australian University and who have completed the first stage of their doctoral program.

The Foundation is grateful for the support of the final selection committee and the assessors who are nominated by the respective disciplines to grade the applications in terms of topic, relevance and methodology.

In 2011 the scholarship attracted 23 applications. In addition to grading by the discipline assessors, the academic and publication record of each candidate and the scientific validity of the various projects were carefully considered.

Interviews were held at Clarendon Terrace, East Melbourne on 25 August, 2011. The interview panel was chaired by Prof John Mathews (Executive Director, The Menzies Foundation) and consisted of Prof Simon Crowe (La Trobe University), Dr Liisa Laakso (Griffith University and previous Menzies Scholar in the Allied Health Sciences), Prof Meg Morris (University of Melbourne) and Prof Alison Perry (La Trobe University). The Foundation's General Manager, Sandra Mackenzie was in attendance.

The two Sir Robert Menzies Memorial Research Scholarships in the Allied Health Sciences for 2012-2013 have been awarded to Ms Jane Galvin and Mr Matthew Pase.

SIR ROBERT MENZIES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS IN ENGINEERING

In co-operation with the Sir Robert Menzies Memorial Trust (UK) and the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, the Menzies Foundation offers to Australians post-graduate scholarships in engineering for tenure at universities in the United Kingdom for either one, two or three academic years.

After initial external assessment of the applications, four candidates were invited for interview in Melbourne on 23 September. The Selection Committee was chaired by Professor Graham Hutchinson, Professor of Civil Engineering, the University of Melbourne. Committee members were Mr Peter Bowtell (Australasia Leader Buildings Practice, Arup), Mr Mark Snowden (representing DEEWR) and Dr Andrew Whiting (Technical Director, Aurecon and a previous Menzies Scholar).  Professor John Mathews (Executive Director of the Menzies Foundation) and Ms Sandra Mackenzie (General Manager) were also in attendance.

The Sir Robert Menzies Memorial Scholarships in Engineering for 2012 were awarded to Ms Brittany Coff and Mr Anant Tayal.

SIR ROBERT MENZIES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS IN LAW

The Sir Robert Menzies Memorial Trust, with the financial support of the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and of the Sir Robert Menzies Memorial Foundation in Australia, offers to Australians post-graduate scholarships in law for tenure in the United Kingdom.

Thirty-three applications received for the single law scholarship available this year. Following consideration of the applications by external assessors, seven candidates were invited for interview in Melbourne on 13 October, 2011. The Selection Committee was the Hon Sir Guy Green (Chairman), Ms Vanessa Tulenew (representing DEEWR), Professor Andrew Kenyon (University of Melbourne ) and Ms Dariel De Sousa (Sustainability & Climate Change Consultant, Maddocks). Ms De Sousa and Professor Kenyon are previous recipients of the Menzies Scholarship. 

The single Sir Robert Menzies Memorial Scholarship in Law for 2012 was awarded to Ms Eleanor Mitchell.

R G MENZIES FELLOWSHIP

The Foundation in 1996 made the inaugural contribution to the National Health and Medical Research Council's (NH MRC) CJ Martin/Neil Hamilton Fairley Fellowships with one of the Fellowships to be named the NH MRC/RG Menzies Fellowship. The aim of the Fellowships is to provide opportunities for research of major importance in its field and of benefit to Australian health and to support outstanding Australian health and medical researchers early in their career so that they can:
• conduct research that is internationally competitive;
• develop a capacity for original independent research;
• develop leadership skills in research; and
• establish themselves as independent, self-directed health and medical researchers.

The Fellowships are available for postdoctoral medical study at approved overseas institutions with tenure for up to four years. Two years are spent in the overseas country followed by two years back in Australia. The Foundation makes available a supplementation of $5,000 for each of the four years of the award for activities associated with the Fellowship, eg conference travel.

The NHMRC/RG Menzies Fellowship in 2011 has been awarded to Dr Sarah-Jane Dawson.

ROBERT GORDON MENZIES SCHOLARSHIP TO HARVARD UNIVERSITY

The Robert Gordon Menzies Scholarship to Harvard University is jointly sponsored by The Harvard Club of Australia, the Australian National University and the Sir Robert Menzies Memorial Foundation and is administered by the ANU. The scholarship is awarded to scholars on the basis of their potential for making a significant contribution to Australia and on their intellectual ability, leadership qualities and breadth of vision. The Menzies Foundation was represented in the selection process by Ms Edwina Menzies.

The scholarship recipients in 2011 are Miss Angela Lopes, Mr Luke Raffin and Miss Julia Smith.