Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia is hosting a reception at Government House in May and will present framed Charles Hawker Scholarship certificates to five new Charles Allan Seymour Hawker Scholars. The twin recipients are brothers Nicholas and Thomas HENCHLIFFE from Adelaide.
Each of these residential scholarships is valued at up to $75,000 over three years. It is one of the most generous privately funded scholarships available to Australian undergraduate and postgraduate students.
The 2025 scholars are studying a wide range of courses including Bachelor of Business (Agribusiness), Law, International Relations, Philosophy, Politics, Economics, Medical Studies and International Security Studies. The 2025 recipients are from Adelaide, Mildura and Cobar.
Miss Evelyn CIRILLO is from Mildura in Victoria. She studied at Irymple Secondary College and Mildura Senior College. Evelyn is enrolled in a double degree of Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of International Relations at the University of Adelaide and is residing at St Mark’s College.
Mr. Nicholas HENCHLIFFE is from Adelaide. Nic attended Prince Alfred College and is studying a double degree of Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics and a Bachelor of Finance. He is enrolled at the ANU in Canberra and is residing at Burgmann College.
Mr. Thomas HENCHLIFFE is also from Adelaide. Offering scholarships to twins is a first for the C.A.S. Hawker Scholarship. Thomas graduated from Prince Alfred College in 2024 and is studying a Bachelor of International Security Studies at the ANU in Canberra. He is in residence at Burgmann College.
Miss Jessica MOSELY is from Etiwanda Station on the Kidman Way in NSW. Her nearest town was Cobar. She graduated from the Kinross Wolaroi School in Orange in 2021 and has successfully completed a year at Marcus Oldham College in Victoria where she is enrolled in a Bachelor of Business (Agribusiness).
Mr. Joel RANSOM is from Mitcham, at the base of the Adelaide Hills. He studied at St John’s Grammar at Belair and Marden Senior College. Joel completed his first year at the University of Adelaide in 2024 in Psychology. Joel has transferred to a Bachelor of Medical Studies at the University of Adelaide and is residing at St Mark’s College.
“Charles Hawker had a lasting impact on Australian politics. All members of the federal house had an enormous respect for him during his time as Australia’s first Minister for Commerce in the Lyons Government in the 1930s.
He was a great Australian who offered his best through his commitment to his country and democracy. These are values I hope the 2025 scholars take with them into their studies,” Chair of the C.A.S. Scholarship Trustees Mr. Andrew Hawker said.
The late Mrs. Lilias Needham established the Charles Hawker Scholarship in memory of her brother Charles Allan Seymour Hawker.
Since 1990, the Trustees have awarded more than seven million dollars to 144 young Australians, including a significant number from regional areas.
Each year the C.A.S. Hawker Scholarship Trustees offer a number of scholarships to capable students of principle and character who are committed to Australia’s future. The scholarship perpetuates the memory and commemorates the achievements of one of Australia’s most respected pastoral pioneers and politicians.
Born on May 16th 1894 at Bungaree homestead near Clare in South Australia, Charles Hawker was educated at Geelong Church of England Grammar School and Trinity College, Cambridge. Student, soldier, pastoralist and statesman Charles Allan Seymour Hawker died in the Kyeema air disaster on 25 October 1938.
“He was recognised for his loyalty, integrity, and caring for his community. Had he not been killed in the Kyeema air disaster in 1938, he may have been Australia’s wartime and South Australia’s first Prime Minister. The scholarship Trustees hope the Charles Hawker story will prove to be an inspiration to the 2025 scholars,” Mr. Andrew Hawker said.
Undergraduate and postgraduate Hawker Scholars can attend a range of educational institutions including the Australian National, Adelaide, Flinders, South Australia and New England Universities, Marcus Oldham College and Roseworthy Campus.
Postgraduate Charles Hawker Scholars are also able to follow in Charles Hawker’s footsteps by studying at the University of Cambridge UK.
“C.A.S. Hawker was a truly remarkable man and a great Australian. This scholarship is a fitting tribute to his memory and each of these five scholars is a much-deserved recipient,” Andrew Hawker said.
Selection is based on personal qualities as well as academic ability. Applications for the 2026 Charles Hawker Scholarships open in November. An online application form and further information will be available on the scholarship website www.hawkerscholarship.org after the opening date or by contacting the Secretary to the Trustees.
More Information:
Marc Allgrove
Secretary to the Trustees
C.A.S. Hawker Scholarship
08 8223 4450
hawker@hawkerscholarship.org
Ian Doyle OAM
Comms Coordinator
C.A.S. Hawker Scholarship
0417 819 189
dms@iinet.net.au