Hazel Hawke Undergraduate Scholarship

As part of her strong interest in and involvement with community and social issues, Mrs Hawke has worked collaboratively with the JCPML to instigate the Hazel Hawke Scholarship at Curtin University. This annual scholarship is available to mature age applicants whose finances would not normally allow them to study at university. The scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need, academic potential and commitment to community and social issues.

Speaking of the establishment of the scholarship, Mrs Hawke said:

I have always felt strongly about the importance of education. We all know that it can make a critical difference to a person's chances to develop talents and capacity, and to their ability to contribute effectively to the wider community. All too often, tertiary education is unaffordable for people who are otherwise able and motivated to undertake it. This denial of opportunity is a great loss to them personally, and to society as a whole.

It gives me great pleasure to establish and support the Hazel Hawke Scholarship in conjunction with the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library at Curtin University. Being Perth born and bred, it is particularly satisfying to have this very positive ongoing association with Western Australia.

We sincerely hope that the educational opportunity provided by this scholarship will create lasting benefit, both for the recipient and the future to which they contribute.

The Inaugural Hazel Hawke Undergraduate Scholarship was offered to students commencing a full-time Curtin degree program in second semester 2000 or in first semester 2001 and was awarded to Jennifer Sterry who commenced her study in 2001.

The 2006 Hazel Hawke Scholarship was awarded to Lynda Burch who is undertaking a Bachelor of Education, Early Childhood Studies degree, at Curtin's Margaret River Campus.

The 2007 Hazel Hawke Scholarship was awarded to Teresa Lau, who is studying Social Work at Curtin's Bentley Campus.

The 2008 Hazel Hawke Scholarship was awarded to Emma Hosken, who is studying Art at Curtin's Bentley campus.