Gallipoli Scholarship Fund applications open

The Gallipoli Scholarship Fund (GSF) is an Australian not-for-profit organisation established in 1996 to honour the memory and legacy of Australian veterans. It now provides scholarships and bursaries to Australian citizens who are direct descendants of Australian and New Zealand veterans who have served in any conflict or peace operation since the Gallipoli campaign in the First World War. Selected applicants are provided with funding to undertake first-year tertiary study at an approved Australian university or TAFE (the latter at advanced diploma or degree level).

Applications for the Gallipoli Scholarship opened on 1 November 2020 and will close on 1 February 2021. This is due to changed university course offering procedures as a result of Covid-19. 

The Scholarship provides financial assistance to the most deserving and meritorious applicants 25 years or younger starting their first year of tertiary study in the year of application (in this case, 2021). In assessing suitability for an award, a 60% weighting applies to necessitous circumstances and a 40% weighting to educational merit. 

Each Scholarship and Bursary is worth $6,000, paid in two tranches: the first in April at the presentation ceremony, and the second on successful completion of the first semester (or trimester), providing the recipient is progressing well and continuing their studies.

Since 2018, recipients of a Gallipoli Scholarship who achieve a distinction-level average in their first year are eligible to apply for a Bill Hall Bursary, valued at $6,000, to assist them in their second year of study at University or TAFE. 

Over the past few years, the GSF has progressively been increasing opportunities for eligible direct descendants of veterans through the development of specific bursaries with selected partners. The GSF is committed to continuing this growth by attracting more supporters and sponsors who are committed to perpetuating the memory and sacrifices of our veterans.

This year marked the first presentation of the Merrylands RSL Bursary to mark that club's long-standing support.  It aims to support the allocation of a Bursary to a student from the Greater Western Sydney area or alternatively a student from a regional area making the big step to attend a Sydney-based university or TAFE. 

Also in 2020, the inaugural Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA) Bursary was awarded to a scholar undertaking a STEM-related course of study. Over the next four years, a further 11 LMA Bursaries will be granted to selected applicants. In addition, Lockheed Martin will facilitate visitations by LMA Bursary winners and will consider short-term intern opportunities.

In 2021, three additional bursaries will also be on offer. 

• The inaugural Calleo Indigenous Bursary will be awarded to a direct descendant of an Indigenous Australian serviceman or woman. This bursary is a fitting tribute that recognises the service of Indigenous Australian veterans in conflicts and peace operations, and the Bursary is intended to be awarded for at least the next three years. Descendants of Indigenous Australian veterans are also encouraged to apply for all GSF scholarships and bursaries. 
• The Rotary Club of Hall, ACT, will also provide a bursary for the next three years and assist in mentoring the successful scholar. Preference will be given to a suitable candidate from the ACT/NSW region whose tertiary studies are related to agriculture. 
• Ernst & Young (EY) are also planning to provide an EY Bursary for at least the next five years, including internship opportunities for the selected scholars. EY is prepared to continue supporting each scholar for their entire degree if they retain good grades and are considered worthy. Applicants for the EY Bursary will need to undertake a course of study relevant to EY, such as Business, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Computing, etc.

For more information and an application form, visit www.gallipolischolarship.com.au or email applications [at] gallipolischolarship.com.au (applications[at]gallipolischolarship[dot]com[dot]au).