2026 Recipients
Matilda Conner
Bachelor of Agriculture
Recipient of the 2026 John James Woodward Rural Prize
"I am off a sheep and citrus farm at Boundary Bend, a tiny town near Swan Hill in Victoria, and have moved to Melbourne to continue my education. Moving from the country to the city for my studies has been a significant emotional and financial commitment. This scholarship allows me to focus on my education without the constant worry about living expenses. I have truly enjoyed my transition to Melbourne and all that the university has to offer. I feel academically challenged in a way that inspires me, and the financial support from the scholarship enables me to broaden my studies and deepen my understanding of agriculture. Thank you for providing me with these incredible opportunities and for being an essential part of my educational journey, and eventually becoming an Agronomist."
Jemima Baghurst
Bachelor of Science
Recipient of the 2026 Leo Stach Memorial Scholarship
"I would like to thank the donors that continue to support the student community at university to pursue their interests and passions. I am so grateful to be studying the world around me and learning more about the earths history and future. I will benefit from this award as a head on exchange in second semester to study the geology of New Zealand at University of Otago. This award will support my move and allow me to focus on growing my knowledge and relationships on this exciting trip. The scholarships at the University of Melbourne have made it possible to move from Tasmania to study with incredible lecturers and tutors, and the support of alumni. Thank you for this opportunity to support my learning at the University of Melbourne in such a tangible way."
Deon Neo
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Recipient of the 2026 William Allan Stewart Scholarship - MVS
"I am Deon, an international DVM2 student from Singapore. As an international student, tuition fees and living expenses have always been a challenge - and this scholarship would mean a ton to me as it would alleviate some financial stress and allow me to focus more on my studies instead. This scholarship is also a motivation for me to continue striving for excellence in the course and to eventually make an impact on animal lives' around the world. In particular, I have a keen interest in wildlife and emergency and critical care medicine, and I hope to contribute to the welfare of animals in those regards. I hope to one day also contribute back to the next generation of veterinary students in whatever capacity I have! Once again, I am immensely grateful for your financial support on my DVM journey."
John Drugli
Master of Science (Earth Sciences)
Recipient of the 2026 The Howitt Natural History Scholarship
"I am originally from a small village in regional Norway, however I moved to Melbourne more than three years ago to challenge myself, gain new perspectives, and learn from some of the top experts in the world. This has led me to undertake a Master of Science (Earth Sciences) specialising in Atmospheric Science, now being in my second semester. Through this degree, I am undertaking a two-year research project focusing on the meteorology behind Thunderstorm Asthma (TA) in Victoria, investigating the structure behind the weather systems that trigger these events. This scholarship will provide me the opportunity to further dive deeper into my research, allowing me to continue focusing on understanding the natural world around us and how we can use the science to improve early warning systems for reducing risks to our communities. By receiving this scholarship, my motivation for further studies and research is enhanced, and my will to use my skills and experiences within weather and climate science and volunteering to contribute to positive impacts in the world is strengthened. Overall, I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and recognition, and I promise to use this as a motivation to keep working hard and do everything I can to keep working on impactful and meaningful research."
Wissal Filali
Doctor of Philosophy - Science
Recipient of the 2026 Dr Alan Kenneth Head PhD International Research Award
"My name is Wissal, and I am a PhD student at the University of Melbourne. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your generosity and support. I come from Morocco and from a relatively modest background, so receiving this support means far more to me than financial assistance alone. It is a reminder that hard work, dedication, and a passion for learning are recognized and valued. Knowing that there are people who choose to invest in students and their futures is incredibly encouraging, and I feel deeply honored to be one of the recipients of this scholarship. Your contribution will help me attend an international conference during the final year of my PhD. Opportunities like this can have a lasting impact on a student's professional and personal development, and I would not be able to take full advantage of it without your support. Thank you for making opportunities like this possible. Your generosity is helping students like me pursue our ambitions, broaden our horizons, and contribute to the scientific community. I am truly grateful for your kindness and confidence in the next generation of researchers."
Deyao Liu
Doctor of Philosophy - Agricultural Sciences
Recipient of the 2026 Alton Gould Edmonds Scholarship
Hasitha Himali Disanayaka Disanayaka Mudiyanselage
Doctor of Philosophy Veterinary Science
Recipient of the 2026 Dr Sue Newton Scholarship
"My name is Himali, and I am a PhD candidate at the Melbourne Veterinary School. I trained as a veterinarian and, driven by a lifelong passion for animal welfare, transitioned into research to better understand and prevent disease. For my PhD I develop in vitro infection models that allow us to investigate disease mechanisms while minimising the use of live animals. This award means a great deal to me personally and professionally. The confidence and motivation that come from this support will broaden the scope of my research, enabling additional experiments, higher quality outputs, and more ambitious dissemination and outreach activities to benefit animal welfare. Studying at the University of Melbourne has been a dream come true; the supervision, facilities, and collegial environment have been transformational. Your generosity not only supports my immediate participation overseas but also invests in the long term impact of my research. I am deeply grateful and committed to honouring this support through rigorous science, open communication of results, and continued engagement with the research and veterinary communities."
Anand Kumar Sethukali
Doctor of Philosophy -Science
Recipient of the 2026 Norma Hilda Schuster (nee Swift) Scholarship
"As a PhD candidate from Sri Lanka, I am conducting research on the sustainable valorization of peach kernel oil for double-emulsion-based probiotic delivery and gut microbiota modulation in dairy systems. Receiving this award is both a meaningful academic recognition and a source of motivation to continue striving for excellence in my research. My experience at the University of Melbourne has provided access to world-class research facilities, mentorship, and opportunities to develop as an emerging researcher. This scholarship will help ease financial pressures, allowing me to focus more fully on my studies, broaden the scope of my research, participate in professional development opportunities, and contribute to scientific advancements in food science and biochemistry. Your generosity is not only supporting my education but also helping me pursue research with the potential to create more sustainable and health-promoting food systems. Thank you for your kindness, confidence, and investment in my academic journey and future career."