Scholarship Recipients 2008. Click image for a larger picture

What an afternoon we had!

The Governor-General His Excellency Hon Anand Satyanand honoured the Craft by agreeing to present the 2008 University Scholarships funded by The Freemasons Charity. The presentation function, also attended by Her Excellency Susan Satyanand, was made in the Government House ballroom to 34 Students, (one student was unable to attend due to work commitments in Tahiti) the ceremony was witnessed by around 170 people, family and friends of the students and Freemasons. It was a thrilling event for all, some comments from the students have been:

"...Please pass on my thank you for a lovely afternoon in Wellington.
It was great to meet both the Freemasons and the other recipients, and I had a really good time having a chat to people about their plans and interests..."

"...Thanks again for a fabulous experience last week. I am writing a letter to the Freemasons today thanking them for their generosity..."

"...My thanks again for the fantastic afternoon.
I think it's great that the Freemasons award such scholarships and the venue is highly appropriate. Having everyone in one place really makes you appreciate some of the great work being done out there - it's rather humbling to meet such intelligent people. I think it really raises the profile of the Freemasons, and especially the charity, by having the event somewhere like Government House. Before I applied I'm not sure I really knew about the organisation at all but the event has certainly cemented them in my mind - it will be something I remember for a long time..."
"...I just wanted to thank you and the organising committee for such a wonderful afternoon (and the scholarship itself!) My parents and myself thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and the whole event was very special. I would be very interested in the Freemasons Alumni Association, so please keep me up to date with that. I was also wondering if there is anything I can get involved in with the Freemasons? I know it's a male-only organisation, but I really like what the organisation does and am interested in getting more involved with that type of work where I can..."

"...I know I definitely had a lovely afternoon. Please pass on my thanks and appreciation..."

"...A huge thanks to the Freemasons Charity for their generous scholarship - I am extremely honoured.  The awards ceremony at Government House was very special indeed...."

"...Yes, it was a fabulous afternoon! I just logged on to write an email to you specifically to say so and to thank you.  It was a very well organised and formal affair. It was a pleasure to meet the His Excellency and also to meet the Grand Master, Barry..."

PRESS RELEASE

Freemasons New Zealand has provided scholarships totaling $3 million to nearly 850 students at Auckland, AUT, Waikato, Massey, Victoria, Canterbury, Lincoln and Otago universities, over 31 years, making The Freemasons Charity one of the country's largest, privately funded university scholarship programmes.

Marking the 31st year of Freemasons' benevolence in New Zealand university scholarships the Governor General, Hon Anand Satyanand, today presented 35 students with scholarships totaling $238,000 at Government House in Wellington. 28 graduate students each received $6,000 and seven post-graduate students each received $10,000.

Freemasons Grand Master, Barry McLaggan, says a recent major revamp of the scholarship programme has increased the value of the scholarships offered and altered the application criteria.

"While applicants must be A grade students completing their degrees, they must also take part in a non-academic community activity.

"Today Freemasons have helped young New Zealanders towards careers as varied as aerospace design - earthquake proofing existing structures - assisting adolescent patients with eating disorders - taxonomy research to improve biosecurity - to name but a few.

"Our scholarship recipients are all high-achieving young people who recognise the importance and involvement of community service as well as academic success.

"For Freemasons, to give is to receive. We come from all walks of life but are in agreement that education is pivotal to the success of young people and their on-going contribution to society. To reward excellence in education is an investment in New Zealand's future," says Barry McLaggan.

For more information on the Freemason Scholarships, please click here.