Media Release

9 May 2011

 Millions given in university scholarships

 A-grade students from New Zealand universities were today 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.

Information from:           Freemasons New Zealand

                                             Contact Laurence Milton, Grand Secretary              

Issued by:                          Joanne Ruscoe, Phone 04 203 4103 (bus); 021 925 755 (mobile);joanne@rpr.co.nz

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.