Office of Student Life and Learning

Conservation Commission Vincent Serventy Memorial Scholarship

The Conservation Commission Vincent Serventy Memorial Scholarship was established in 2008 in recognition of the contribution to conservation and environmental education by the late Vincent Serventy. Mr Serventy's passionate interest in the environment and education led him to a position training other teachers in science and environmental programs. He was prolific in his activity for environmental causes such as conservation campaigns to protect the Great Barrier Reef, the Shark Bay region, King's Park and the Swan River, and many Eastern states and international causes. Mr Serventy was founder of the Western Australian National Trust, the Western Australian Tree Society, and the Western Australian Gould League, which was expanded from a bird lovers group to one that included all wildlife and the environment.

Mr Serventy devoted 60 years of his life to his environmental work in Australia and internationally. He is widely published and communicated his environmental education through his many books, articles, lectures, letters, telecasts, radio programs and magazine editing. He was active in his campaigning for the environment and wildlife until he passed away in September 2007.

The Conservation Commission Vincent Serventy Memorial Scholarship honours Mr Serventy's contribution to education about the conservation of wildlife and the environment, and in 2009 one student will be awarded $5,000 to assist with the costs of an Honours project on environmental education for biodiversity in natural areas.

The Scholarship will be paid to the successful applicant in two $2,000 instalments, each following the Census dates of Semesters One and Two, with the final $1,000 awarded on the submission of the Honours thesis.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND CONSERVATION COMMISSION EVENTS AS REQUIRED.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the Conservation Commission Vincent Serventy Memorial Scholarship, applicants must:

• Be intending to enrol full-time in an Honours course at Murdoch University with a research proposal that focuses on environmental education for biodiversity in natural areas with the potential to have practical outcomes in biodiversity conservation, AND
• Have skills or interest in biodiversity conservation, AND
• Have a record of high achievement in previous study or professional work, AND
• Be an Australian Citizen

Desirable

• Have completed Environmental Education for Sustainability (EDU450/EDU650) or equivalent.

Selection Criteria

Each of the following will be taken into consideration in the selection of the successful applicant:

• Summary of intended Honours project;
• Written reference(s) from one and no more than two persons qualified to comment on the applicant's academic studies, and/or past or current employer;
• A personal statement of no more than one A4 page demonstrating why the applicant should be the successful candidate, including how the scholarship will enable the achievement of personal goals, academic success and planned career pathway;
• A statement of no more than one A4 page demonstrating passion, knowledge and/or experience in social research and/or environmental education about biodiversity conservation in natural areas.
• History of relevant community involvement;
• Excellent communication skills.

Financial need may be taken into consideration.

How to apply

Download an application form here

For further information please contact the Scholarships Office: cls@murdoch.edu.au

Further Information

Further information about applying for an Honours course, and application forms, can be found here.

http://www.murdoch.edu.au/fsa/honours/

Applications close 4:30pm Friday 27 November 2009