Millions given in university scholarships

Media Release
10 May 2011
Millions given in university scholarships

A-grade students from New Zealand universities were yesterday presented with Freemasons scholarships totaling $220,000 by Olympic athlete Sir John Walker at a ceremony at the University of Waikato. Seven students were awarded post-graduate scholarships of $10,000 and 25 students were awarded university scholarships of $6,000.

Over the last 33 years, Freemasons New Zealand has provided scholarships of nearly $3.75 million to 954 students at Auckland, Waikato, Massey, Victoria, Canterbury, Lincoln and Otago universities, making The Freemasons Charity one of the country’s largest, privately-funded university scholarship programmes.

Sir John Walker said the presentation ceremony was a wonderful opportunity to meet so many high-achieving young people on the verge of great careers and set to improve the quality of life for people and the environment.

Freemasons Grand Master, Selwyn Cooper, made a plea that although the inevitable attraction for scholars was to extend their research overseas, he hoped they would never forget their homeland and that they return with their skills and talents honed by their overseas experience.

“Freemasons have throughout the centuries played a leading role in supporting education and research, from the days of the Enlightenment through to the present day.

“We believe that knowledge and understanding has over this time guided the world on a path to become less intolerant and more accommodating of the views of others. To study the liberal arts and sciences leads to a greater knowledge of the world, of society, and of oneself.

“Today we have helped university students on their way to a diverse range of careers, among them: research scientists, mathematicians, physicists, anthropologists, psychologists, veterinarians, geneticists, ecologists, geologists, lawyers, academics, engineers and medical specialists.

“The 32 successful scholars with whom we celebrate today are not only accomplished scholars whose dedication and perseverance merits recognition, but they also have an impressive record of community interest and involvement,” said Mr Cooper.

Ends

2011 Freemasons Charity University Scholarship Recipients

University / Recipient Hometown Degree
University of Auckland
Jesse Ashton Takapuna, Auckland PhD in Bioengineering PG
Rupert Freeman Titirangi, Auckland Bachelor of Science
Anton Gulley Mt Eden, Auckland Bachelor of Science
Niancen (William) Miao Cockle Bay, Auckland Bachelor of Engineering
Alicia Newton Mt Roskill, Auckland Postgraduate Diploma in Science
Sudhvir Singh Torbay, Auckland Bachelor of Medicine
University of Waikato
Claire Mulholland Te Awamutu Master of Science PG
Shwetha George Hillcrest, Hamilton Bachelor of Science
David Hollands Rotokauri, near Hamilton Bachelor of Social Sciences
Hamish McEwan Enderley, Hamilton Bachelor of Science
Murray Riches Taumarunui Bachelor of Communication Studies
Massey University
Julian Congalton Brooklyn, Wellington PhD in Information Systems PG
Sarah Buchanan Dannevirke Bachelor of Science
Daniel Cragg Wingatui, near Dunedin Bachelor of Veterinary Science
Kyle Kannan Rotorua Bachelor of Veterinary Science
Courtney Meredith Kilbirnie, Wellington Master of Science
Victoria University of Wellington
Ryan O’Byrne Omata, New Plymouth Master of Arts PG
Jack Georgieff Thorndon, Wellington Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Lisa Hunkin Tuakau, near Pukekohe Master of Science
Reuben Todd Burnside, Christchurch Bachelor of Arts
Katie Zeier Johnsonville, Wellington Bachelor of Commerce and
Administration and Bachelor of Science
Lincoln University
Ben Hancock Martinborough PhD in Ecology PG
University of Canterbury
Alexander Opie Te Kuiti PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering PG
Hun Young (Hayden) Lee Shirley, Christchurch Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Kane O’Donnell Tamahere, near Hamilton Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Toni Sheed Southshore, Christchurch Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Simon Todd Halswell, Christchurch Bachelor of Arts
University of Otago
Philippa Struthers Nelson PhD in Psychology and PG
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology
Christopher Bloomer Taupo Bachelor of Medical Science Honours
Leah Hamilton Dunedin Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Yeri Kim Takapuna, Auckland Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours)
Griegan Panckhurst Timaru Bachelor of Science (Honours)

NB: PG means scholar awarded a Post Graduate Scholarship. All other scholarships are university scholarships.

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