Donations in memoriam
Giving on behalf of a loved one who has passed is a great way to honour a life. Not only will their memory remain vivid, but their life's work may be continued on in their name.
- Philip Emlyn Thomas
- Godfrey Tanner
- Jack Doherty
- Williams Family
- Lewis Ewart Lewis
- Bill and Iris Burges
- Bill Bowmore
- John Keats
Philip Emlyn Thomas (1940-2001)
The Philip Emlyn Thomas Scholarships were established by his wife Jennie to commemorate his life, his passions and his interests. Philip had a successful career as an industrial chemist and Company Managing Director and was always committed to making a difference where he could to benefit the lives of others.
Philip was a graduate of the University of Newcastle having first of all enrolled at Newcastle University College in 1957 for an Industrial Chemistry Degree under the direction of late Bill Pickering. After graduating he worked at Sulphide, later to become Pasminco and became fascinated with spectroscopy. In 1972 he was made Director of Techtron Pty Ltd in Melbourne, a small company which had the rights from CSIRO to build atomic absorption instruments. When Techtron Pty Ltd was bought by Varian Pty Ltd, Philip began his international career and was appointed President of the instruments division of Varian, based in California. He came back to the Australian factory in 1982. In 1996 health problems took their toll and he suffered another heart attack. Unfortunately he passed away in 2001.
Philip Emlyn Thomas Keyboard Scholarship
Recipients:
- Kylie Smith
- Chanel Scheman
- Chantal Rawson
Phillip Emlyn Thomas Honours Scholarship in Environmental Studies
Recipients:
- Zoe Rogers
- James Krahe
- Lucinda Ransom
- Chantel Fitzsimmons
- Patricia Robinson
Stories
Godfrey Tanner (1927-2002)
Godfrey Tanner's wonderful sense of humour, willingness to mix and socialise with students, absolute commitment to education and unique approach to life all helped earn him the title of "living treasure."
Professor Godfrey Tanner was a distinguished Classics scholar who had devoted the greater part of his life to the University of Newcastle and its students. Melbourne and Cambridge educated and with a formidable intellect, Godfrey, as he was affectionately known, threw himself into the life of the University from the day he took up his appointment. Godfrey's lectures were renowned for their erudition and wit, so much so that many non-Classics students attended them just for pleasure!
Godfrey Tanner felt very strongly about making education possible for financially disadvantaged students. Although he passed away in 2002, his life's commitment to education continues to live through the scholarship fund.
Godfrey Tanner Undergraduate Scholarship
Recipients:
- Judith Vajak
- Angela Sucker
- Ellen Lindsay
- Jane Gallagher
- Ainslie Polo
- Andrew Sampson
- Angelene Hayes
Stories
- The Godfrey Tanner Memorial Scholarship Fund (PDF, 72KB)
- Judy Vajak - Godfrey Tanner recipient (PDF, 216KB)
Godfrey Tanner Memorial Scholarship Fund Donors (PDF, 64KB)
Jack Doherty (1914-1990)
Jack Doherty saw tertiary education as a key factor in Aboriginal liberation. Jack's scholarships are intended to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to complete studies at the University of Newcastle.
Jack Doherty was a former University science lecturer and formed the Newcastle Aboriginal Support Group (NASG) in 1980. Despite the cause being very unpopular among white Australians, Jack built a strong group of like-minded individuals to listen to the concerns of Aboriginal people in Newcastle and to try and help them. Until his death from cancer 10 years later, he worked tirelessly in the cause of recognition and justice for Indigenous people. The scholarships Jack has donated are funded by community donations under the auspices of the Newcastle Aboriginal Support Group.
Jack Doherty Undergraduate Scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students
Jack Doherty Undergraduate Scholarship Fund Donors
Recipients (PDF, 21KB)
Stories- Nathan Towney - Jack Doherty recipient (PDF, 60KB)
- Helping to Educate Indigenous Leaders (PDF, 116KB)
Williams Family
The Williams Family scholarship encourages students in the study of Classics in the University. The scholarship was initiated through Mark Williams, a graduate of the University and a dedicated member of the University rowing club, in honour of the Williams family.
The Williams Family is a well known family in the Junction Area with a great tradition of involvement in the life of the Newcastle Community.
Williams Undergraduate Scholarship in Classics
Recipients (PDF, 44KB)
Lewis Ewart Lewis (1909 - 2004)
In 2005 the University of Newcastle received a very generous bequest from the estate of the late Mr Lewis Ewart Lewis. This donation was used to establish the Lewis endowment fund to support scholarship in Physiotherapy. The executives of the Estate, Mr and Mrs Barry and Janice Croese, wanted to establish this scholarship to honour the memory of Lewis. As a physiotherapist, Lewis committed his entire career to the wellbeing of the people in Newcastle.
Born in Newcastle on the 30th September 1909, Lewis commenced his professional career as a podiatrist and chiropodist before qualifying as a physiotherapist in 1945. One of the pioneers of private physiotherapy practice, Lewis was highly regarded by both his many patients, some of whom travelled 4-5 hours each way to consult him, and by his peers. He retired from his practice in Hunter Street, Newcastle in 1968 but maintained an active interest in physiotherapy for the rest of his life.
Lewis Ewart Lewis Physiotherapy Scholarship
Recipients:
- Sarah Hallams
- Belinda Gribble
- Olivia Rawson
- Sarah Hallams
- Andrea Oracki
- Tara Smith
Stories
Bill and Iris Burges (1916-2002) (1917-2000)
Newcastle graduates Steve and Bill Burges have established a trust fund at the University in memory of their parents Bill and Iris. The Bill and Iris Burges Trust, ultimately worth up to $4 million, fund a professorial position in health sciences at the University.
Both Bill and Iris devoted much of their working lives to the betterment of Newcastle, with Bill becoming Town Clerk in 1950, a position he held until his retirement in 1977. He was instrumental in much of the post-war municipal development in the city and its region and played a major role in establishing the Shortland (now Callaghan) campus of the University.
While neither Bill or Iris had the opportunity to attend university, they valued education and both their sons studied at the University's predecessor, the University of NSW College, at Tighes Hill.
"Mum and Dad did a lot for Newcastle during their lifetimes. The Bill and Iris Burges professorship at the University will provide an enduring link between their names and the city they served so well."
Stories
Bill Bowmore OML AO OBE (1909-2008)
Through his great love of music and the arts Bill Bowmore has made a significant contribution to the cultural life of the Hunter Region. An active supporter of the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music since his enrolment there in 1952, Bowmore donated $250,000 to the Conservatorium in 2004. He stated that "This community has given so much to me and this is my way of saying thank you".
In 2002, Bowmore was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Newcastle and an Order of Australia "for service to the arts as a collector, donor, benefactor and patron of galleries in Australia, and to young musicians as a teacher and sponsor of concerts and scholarships". His contribution to the Conservatorium has enabled the establishment of the William Bowmore Undergraduate Scholarship in Cello.
William Bowmore Undergraduate Scholarships in Cello
Recipients
- Jonathan Tosio
- Matthew Aubrey
- Arran Hamilton
Vale Dr William Bowmore, OML AO OBE
Emeritus Professor John Augustus Keats (1921-2008)
Emeritus Professor John Keats passed away on 1 January 2008; he was 86 years old. John was appointed Foundation Professor of Psychology in 1965 and retired in 1986.
Together with Daphne Keats, John was a passionate supporter of our University, Psychology, and international relations especially with China.
During his time as Professor of Psychology, he also held a number of significant positions in the University, including Dean of Arts, Dean of Science and Dean of Mathematics.
In recent years Emeritus Professor Keats worked with his wife and Conjoint Professor, Daphne Keats, in cross-cultural psychology through which they had strong international links, particularly in China.
They created the 'John and Daphne Keats Endowment Research Fund' in 2000 to support post graduate researchers and junior staff.The fund has supported a range of projects including research into memory systems and the development of a cross-cultural response to HIV/AIDS in ethnic communities in China.
University of Newcastle Chancellor, Professor Trevor Waring, said Emeritus Professor Keats would be remembered as a person with a great passion for academia.
"John made an enormous contribution to the University, in particular through supporting students and encouraging the pursuit of academic and research excellence," Professor Waring said.
Keats Prize Winners (1992 - 2006) - (PDF 57KB)
Keats Endowment Research Grants recipients (PDF 64KB)
Vale Emeritus Professor John Keats