Scoop  Education

8 May 2018

For 40 years Freemasons from throughout New Zealand have awarded nearly $5.2 million in scholarships to 1,162 of the country’s most talented university students. All they ask is that the students be completing a degree, be achieving consistent A-grades and show commitment to voluntary and community service.

Today eight postgraduate students received a total of $80,000 and 19 university students a total of $114,000 at a ceremony at Parliament’s Legislative Council Chamber. The 27 students are from AUT, Auckland, Waikato, Massey, Victoria, Canterbury, Lincoln and Otago Universities.

They are destined for a wide range of careers: six academics and teachers; five research scientists; five psychologists; four in marketing and business; two environmental managers; and one engineer, ophthalmologist, physiotherapist, lawyer and architect.

Freemasons Grand Master Mark Winger notes the Freemasons scholarship programme is the largest privately funded such programme in the country. As he says:

“It is an example of the positive impact Freemasonry can make in the community and on the world stage, as we see from the career updates scholars send from time-to-time.

“Whether our scholars stay in New Zealand or continue their studies and careers overseas, they are all contributing to the health, welfare, knowledge and improvement of life for future generations.

“Freemasons have always understood the importance of learning and how it encourages greater understanding amongst mankind, which in turn leads to levels of tolerance and compassion between nations,” says Mr Winger.

2018 Freemasons Charity University Scholarship Recipients University / Recipient Hometown Degree
Auckland University of Technology
Matthew (Matt) Funaki Central Auckland Master of Science PG
Megan Burfoot Meadowbank, Auckland Bachelor of Engineering with Honours
University of Auckland
Jonathan Baker Mount Roskill, Auckland Doctor of Philosophy PG
Shontelle Grimberg St Johns Park, Auckland Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Laws (Hons); Diploma in Languages
Julia Plank Epsom, Auckland Bachelor of Arts with Honours
Henry Wallace Nelson Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery
University of Waikato
Abigail (Abby) Pinkerton Hillcrest, Hamilton Master of Music PG
Nicholas (Nick) Broome Napier Master of Management Studies
Apriel Jolliffe Simpson Waiuku, South Auckland Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours
Tekiteora Rolleston-Gabel Hamilton Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Arts (conjoint)
Massey University
Leith Pugmire Palmerston North Doctor of Philosophy PG
Felicia Aull Palmerston North Master of Environmental Management
Harry Deare Palmerston North Bachelor of Science
Gareth Moore Waiheke Island, Auckland Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary)
Victoria University of Wellington
Hayley Aikman Whitianga Master of Anthropology PG
Benjamin (Ben) Carpenter Vogeltown, Wellington Bachelor of Architectural Studies
Samuel (Sam) Harris Khandallah, Wellington Bachelor of Commerce
Bradley (Brad) Olsen Ngunguru, Whāngārei Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Arts (conjoint)
Lincoln University
Jemma Penelope Mt Pleasant, Christchurch Doctor of Philosophy PG
University of Canterbury
Melissa Derby Lincoln, Canterbury Doctor of Philosophy PG
Gina Broom Riverlea, Hamilton Master of Science
Kim Doncaster Selwyn, Canterbury Master of Science
Rebecca Graves Methven, Canterbury Bachelor of Psychology
University of Otago
Zoe Williams Te Aroha, Waikato Doctor of Philosophy PG
Benedict (Ben) Fleming Takapuna, Auckland Bachelor of Applied Science
Malcolm Jones North Dunedin Bachelor of Science
Bridget Watson Utiku, Taihape Bachelor of Physiotherapy
PG means the scholar is awarded a Postgraduate Scholarship of $10,000.

All other scholars are awarded University Scholarships of $6,000.

ends

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