Wednesday, 15 April 2026
Government House
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC

Bujari Gamarruwa

Diyn Babana, Gamarada Gadigal Ngura

In greeting you in the language of the Gadigal, Traditional Owners of these lands and waterways, I pay my respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging. 

A very warm welcome to:

• Member for Albury^[1]
• Chairman^[2] and CEO^[3] of General Sir John Monash Foundation
• Board Members^[4] and supporters of the Foundation
• University representatives
• 2026 John Monash Scholars; Alumni, special guests all.

As everyone here tonight knows only too well, Sir John Monash was a remarkable individual, with a range of talents that can only be described as stratospheric. 

By the age of 30, Monash had earned degrees in arts, law, and engineering, with subsequent qualifications as a surveyor, water engineer, and a patent attorney.^[5] And of course he was one of – if not the most – effective Australian military leaders of World War I.^[6] 

After the war, Monash returned to engineering, became Chairman of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, and in his final years led the building of the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.^[7]  He was also Vice-Chancellor of Melbourne University from 1923 until his death in 1931.

Monash’s achievements were truly impressive, however it was the way he used his talents that is the real story of this extraordinary polymath. I think two personal qualities stand out.

Firstly, he had grit. Hard work, study and concentration were, for him, the keys to success. He sat for a staggering 94 written exams over 17 years of education,^[8] which says a lot about his work ethic. For Monash, it was impossible to be too busy.^[9]

Secondly, he was a planner. Monash was known for treating battle plans like an orchestral score, ensuring everyone knew their exact role.^[10] He famously predicted the Battle of Le Hamel would last for 90 minutes – and he was not far off: it went for 93 minutes.^[11] He also liked to have a daily agenda, crossing off completed tasks and even scheduling a few minutes here and there for relaxation.^[12] 

These two ‘ingredients’ – grit and planning – also underpin the achievements of our Monash scholars, including this year’s scholars who are about to embark upon their studies, although I suspect and indeed would hope with a bit less intensity than Monash and his 94 exams!

Importantly, Monash viewed education, which accounted for much of his personal achievements, as a transformative tool for self-improvement and a foundation for public service^.[13] This of course is the raison d'être of John Monash scholarships, and this year marks another milestone in the history of the Sir John Monash Foundation as it awards its 300th Scholarship.

To date, the Foundation has invested more than $41 million in supporting its now 300 scholars to study across a range of disciplines that will not only cement their futures, but which are critical to Australia’s future as an innovative and culturally mature country. This year’s scholars will study in areas as diverse as:

• engineering in the field of aerospace capabilities^[14]
• renal medicine^[15]
• robotics^[16]
• dance choreography^[17]
• defence,^[18] and
• Australia’s clean energy transition.^[19]

And with us tonight we have:

• Dr Imogen Thomson, who will be undertaking a Master of Science in Global Health Science and Epidemiology at University of Oxford, to advance fertility care and women’s health in Australia.
• Thomas Schmaltz, pursuing a PhD in glaciology at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California, with a focus on satellite research, Antarctic expeditions, and Australia’s global leadership in climate resilience.

We are also fortunate to have with us one of the very first scholars from 2004, Dr Tom Hannah, who used his John Monash Scholarship to study for a Doctor of Philosophy in Atomic and Laser Physics in Oxford, before working as a postdoctoral fellow in the United States. Thank you Dr Hannah for being with us. 

Congratulations to all of the 2026 Scholars. We wish you all well as you embark on your studies and we look forward to the contribution you will make to Australia in your future careers.

With that in mind I thank the Foundation for creating and sustaining this prestigious scholarship and providing unrestricted postgraduate opportunities, regardless of age and area of study, supported by government, businesses, private donors and universities.

I must also thank those who have generously given their time on selection panels and in alumni programs.