On August 13, 2010 a luncheon was held for South Australian recipients of the John Monash Scholarships and the South Australian Selection Panel. The event was sponsored by Prescott Securities and the General Sir John Monash Foundation. The Foundation was grateful to Mr David White, Mr Darryl Gobbett and Ms Rena Turter for hosting the luncheon at their Adelaide office, and to Emeritus Professor Anne Edwards AO, Chairman of the South Australian Selection Panel, for her initiative in setting up the event.
The Governor of South Australia, His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR, Patron of the Foundation was the special guest along with members of the South Australian Selection Panel (both current and former), Vice Chancellors of South Australian universities, members of the Foundation Board and former and current Scholars.
The Governor spoke about the career and achievements of General Sir John Monash, and praised the vision of the Governments who had contributed to establishing the Scholarships. He complimented the Foundation on the high quality of Scholars, and noted their importance to the nation’s future.
The lunch provided an opportunity for the South Australian Scholars to assemble for the first time, and the Foundation was delighted that six of the eight were able to attend. Those present were: Dr Katherine Daniell (2005 Scholar), Dr Olivia Thorne (2005), Gemma Sharp (2007), Brendan Lim (2008), James Daniell (2009), and Catherine Stubberfield (2010). For Catherine Stubberfield (pictured left), who has been working with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in Ethiopia since her election, it was the first time she had met with other Monash Scholars.
Finally, Professor Edwards thanked all of the South Australian Selection Panel Members for their considerable efforts over the last seven years. She noted their extraordinary capability and the diversity of the Scholars’ fields – environmental engineering, law, cancer research, earthquake evaluation and human rights policy – and thanked the South Australian Government and the Governor for their continued support.