On Wednesday 16th March the Governor General of Australia, Her Excellency Quentin Bryce AC, awarded the 2011 John Monash Scholarship winners with their certificates at Government House Canberra. The Ceremony was attended by 80 guests, including all of the 2011 Scholars and their families; members of State and National Selection Panels; Directors of the Foundation; and representatives of nine corporate partners and sponsors of the Foundation.
In her speech during the Ceremony, the Governor-General spoke eloquently about the legacy of General Sir John Monash: "The scholarships we award today are a living legacy: summoning the talent, ingenuity, leadership and determination of an extraordinary General, the service and sacrifice of his soldiers, and his enduring sense of contribution in encouraging and guiding emerging leaders to thrive." She also emphasized the contribution the John Monash Scholars will make to Australia: "You are our nations' future leaders in business, in government, in industry and academia. The relationships you build now will sustain you in the years ahead. Your spheres of influence will play a critical role in determining your professional and personal capacity to galvanise knowledge into action. Education comes full circle when those, enriched and empowered by it, give back the wealth of their learning to their communities. When knowledge makes them keen and conscious citizens". The Chairman of the General Sir John Monash Foundation, Ms Jillian Segal AC, thanked the Governor General for her role in the Ceremony and for her inspirational words.
Following the Ceremony, the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research hosted a luncheon for all attendees at Parliament House. At that lunch, Deputy Secretary Patricia Kelly spoke on behalf of Minister Kim Carr, highlighting the role of the Department in supporting the Scholarships since inception. Economist and MP for Fraser, Dr Andrew Leigh, addressed the luncheon on the contribution of academia to Australia, and was thanked by Scholars Melanie Bannister-Tyrrell and Dr Thomas Cundy.