Responding Annual Report 2019/20 to the challenge Contents 01 About Us 02 Message from the Chairman 03 The Year in Review 04 202 John Monash Scholars 05 2020 Selection Analysis 06 2020 Scholarship Selection Process 07 2020 John Monash Scholars 12 Where Are They Now? 16 Impact 19 Publications and Awards 20 Events and Activities 23 John Monash Scholars’ Global Symposium 24 Governance 26 Foundation Members 27 Foundation Volunteers 28 Financial Highlights 30 Thank You 32 Partners and Supporters About Us Our mission is to invest in outstanding disciplines, possess a distinct General Sir John Australians from all fields of endeavour capacity for leadership Monash: the and are making significant who demonstrate remarkable qualities of contributions to Australia’s guiding spirit of leadership and have the ability to deliver future as scientists, academics, the Foundation outcomes and inspire others for the artists, business leaders, General Sir John Monash benefit of Australia. entrepreneurs, lawyers and was born in 1865 to Jewish policy experts. The General Sir John John Monash Scholars migrant parents from Prussia. Monash Foundation was General Sir John Monash said, He was educated at Scotch The General Sir John Monash established in 2001 with an ‘The privilege of education College in Melbourne and at Foundation supports initial contribution from the carries great responsibilities the University of Melbourne, exceptional scholars capable where he gained degrees in Australian Federal Government – it is given not for individual of identifying and tackling the Engineering, Law and Arts. together with further benefit alone, but to befit challenges of our time. We seek As a citizen soldier, he led contributions from corporate persons for the higher duties women and men of vision, the Australian Army Corps in supporters and private donors. of citizenship and for roles of energy and talent, ready to France to a series of brilliant leadership in all fields...’. John Its purpose is to raise funds pick up the baton and become victories in the last six months for, and to administer, Monash Scholars are chosen on leaders for our nation. of World War One. For this, the basis that their leadership John Monash received wide qualities are reflective of these international acclaim and was important values. seen by many as one of the Scholar Alumni best of the allied generals on Community the Western Front. However, this seminal role was only The John Monash Scholar part of his enduring legacy. Alumni form a growing and John Monash also had many dynamic community where fine achievements in civilian scholars have the opportunity life including as founding to build lifelong friendships, member of community bodies support each other on their such as Rotary, as well as academic journeys, exchange the driving force behind the ideas and collaborate across ANZAC commemorations and disciplines to find solutions to the remarkable repatriation shared global concerns. of around 160,000 Australian troops; newly trained with Alumni representatives based professional and trade skills in different regions across acquired in France and England the world assist in organising while waiting for their safe thought-leadership and passage to Australia. He was networking events and provide also instrumental in the support and mentoring for John establishment of the Shrine of Monash Scholars. Remembrance in Melbourne The General Sir John Monash John Monash was an Australia’s own postgraduate Our scholarships provide Foundation is committed to outstanding leader who scholarships—the John talented individuals with a nurturing our community of provided great service to Monash Scholarships—to platform to create positive and Scholars to advance their work his country, demonstrated foster leadership, expertise and lasting change. and facilitate their efforts remarkable breadth and international networks, as well The first 8 John Monash to have a positive impact excellence in his own education as build Australia’s capabilities Scholarships were awarded in on Australia’s economic, and inspired all Australians in for the future. 2003 for study commencing environmental and social his pursuit for knowledge and The John Monash Scholarships in 2004. To date, the General development. his unwavering commitment to are amongst the most Sir John Monash Foundation the broader community. Image: John Monash, 1919 important postgraduate has awarded 202 Scholarships. by James Quinn This brief biography of General scholarships currently available These John Monash Scholars Collection: National Portrait Gallery, Sir John Monash was written by in Australia. come from a diverse range of Canberra Nicholas Duddy (2020 Scholar) 01 Message from the Chairman Despite the upheavals in our world Scholars today would make John Monash proud. wrought by COVID-19 in the last quarter At this time of global crisis they covered by this report, the Foundation have risen to the occasion and in the following pages you will has had a very positive and productive read a number of examples of year and one that gives us confidence those who have been proactively responsive to the unique in the resilience and adaptability of the challenges caused by COVID-19. Foundation and our Scholars. In particular, many Scholars tackling frontline challenges During 2019 we had the Roden Cutler NSW John Monash have been recognised with customary positive application Scholar, Dr Martin Seneviratne substantial awards which will process with an outstanding on the topic ‘Beyond Confidence enable them to continue on 20 candidates selected for John and Charisma - what will be their impactful health research required to lead in the Future?’ Monash Scholarships for study trajectories. They include 2007 Although many of our 2020 in 2020. We were particularly The 2020 John Monash Scholars John Monash Scholar Dr Owen Scholars have not been able to delighted to award the inaugural were presented with their Siggs who was awarded an travel to their chosen overseas 2020 Bob Hawke and Tim Fischer Scholarship Certificates by inaugural Snow Fellowship. 2006 universities to commence their John Monash Scholarships to His Excellency General the Scholar Professor Mark Dawson, studies in person, we hope two outstanding individuals, Honourable David Hurley AC 2011 Scholar Dr Davis McCarthy that they will be able to do so, Chloe D’Souza and Dr Matthew DSC (Retd), Governor-General and 2015 Scholar Dr Phoebe together with the 2021 Scholars, Lennon, who were presented to of the Commonwealth of Williams were all awarded next calendar year. the Prime Minister and Leader Australia and the Foundation’s Investigator Grants from the of the Opposition at a special The Foundation continues to Patron-in-Chief, at Queens Hall, National Health and Medical thrive with the unwavering celebration at Parliament House Parliament House Melbourne Research Council (NHMRC). in December 2019. We were also support of our volunteers on 11 February 2020. It was a Across many other fields of thrilled to award the inaugural who work so closely with us pleasure to have the Governor- expertise our Scholars are having to maintain the rigour of our Lee Liberman John Monash General preside over his first an impact with their focus on selection process, financial Scholarship to Jessie Hughes. Presentation Ceremony, although innovation and technology. support from the Federal and Also, in December over 70 John as the previous Governor of NSW They also have a dedication to State governments as well as Monash Scholars from across and Patron he knows us well. The their own community of John corporate and private donors, Australia and around the world Governors of South Australia, Monash Scholars, with the without whom there would be gathered for the Scholars’ Global Western Australia and NSW also Scholar Advisory Committee no scholarships and our pro bono Symposium which was hosted held intimate events for Scholars organising virtual gatherings partners who kindly assist in by the University of Melbourne. from their respective States. to keep everyone connected many valuable ways. Symposia are important avenues Following these events, in March during the pandemic lock downs I would like to pay special thanks through which we have scholars 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic and actively supporting each to my Board Members who across years, disciplines and began to impact and shape other through regular contact continue to provide outstanding locations connect with and the Foundation’s operations. across regions and countries. commitment and advice. In mentor each other and start Unfortunately, we had to cancel Education, collaboration, and December 2019 Dr Jane Wilson collaborative projects. The scheduled events such as the research are essential to helping retired from the Board. I would strength and commitment of the Public Lecture, a number of Australia work through the like to pay tribute and thank John Monash Scholars to each Chairman’s Circle lunches and transformations we are currently Jane for her many years of other reflects the comradeship subsequently, we have had to undergoing economically, outstanding and dedicated General Sir John Monash reshape elements of the 2020 socially and culturally. service to the Foundation. Special modelled with his soldiers. selection process. Nonetheless This year we gratefully thanks are also due to our small The gathering of so many John we have continued to maintain welcomed a major new but dedicated executive team Monash Scholars representing a steady course and focus on supporter: The Judith Neilson led by our CEO, Annemarie all cohorts from the very first fulfilling our core purpose and Foundation has generously Rolls. The team has managed in 2003 to the latest in 2020, ensuring that we assist our committed to fund three, 3-year the Foundation with great skill, was testament to the strong Scholars in their leadership scholarships. This commitment commitment and good humour and cohesive community of journeys. opens up unique opportunities throughout the year including in John Monash Scholars, which The character, interests and to Scholars in areas of these difficult COVID-19 times.