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The General Sir John Monash Foundation has announced the recipients of two Origin Foundation supported John Monash Scholarships in the areas of sustainability and engineering for 2012.
Engineering Scholar, Flying Officer Chris Lowe, will receive a scholarship to study for a Masters in Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), while Sustainability Scholar, Kate Griffiths will study for a Masters of Science at the University of Edinburgh and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
The scholars are the first supported by the Origin Foundation and form part of the Foundation's twelve year commitment to support the General Sir John Monash Foundation by funding scholarships in the years 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2021.
Sean Barrett, Head of the Origin Foundation said the Foundation was proud to support these high achievers because of their potential to contribute to the community.
"The General Sir John Monash Foundation has produced an alumni of scholars who are making significant and valuable contributions to the community in a broad range of areas, like human rights, the environment, health and natural disasters. Most of the scholars come back and work in Australia, so their talents flow back into the community.
"Sustainability and engineering are two broad themes that are important to the continued success of companies like Origin. This partnership allows us to combine the Origin Foundation's focus on education with two areas of importance for our founder, Origin."
Flying Officer Chris Lowe was awarded the Origin Foundation John Monash Scholarship in Engineering. Originally from North-East Tasmania, Chris holds a Bachelor of Engineering with first-class honours and the University Medal from the University of New South Wales, which he attended through the Australian Defence Force Academy in the Chief of Defence Force Student Program.
He has been a member of the Royal Australian Air Force since 2005, and was recently deployed to Kandahar in Afghanistan. Through the Australian Defence Force he has helped provide humanitarian relief following the Queensland floods, Cyclone Yasi, the Victorian bushfires, Padang earthquake and tsunami, Samoa tsunami, Pakistan floods and Haiti earthquake. He is an outstanding rower and footballer. At MIT, Chris will conduct research into Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
Kate Griffiths was awarded the Origin Foundation John Monash Scholarship in Sustainability. Kate completed a Bachelor of Philosophy (Science) with first-class honours and the University Medal from the Australian National University. She received numerous prizes during her academic career and has conducted research at the ANU, CSIRO, Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens and the University of Copenhagen.
Kate has been active in promoting science as a Science Ambassador, a tutor of indigenous students and in her current work with the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. She is a Queen's Scout, a runner and triathlete, and a top AFL umpire. At Edinburgh, Kate will study plant taxonomy and biodiversity, before returning to Australia to contribute to the conservation and management of Australia's vulnerable ecosystems.
Dr Peter Binks Chief Executive of the General Sir John Monash Foundation, thanked the Origin Foundation for its support and involvement: "We are delighted to have the long-term support of the Origin Foundation. Kate and Chris are outstanding young Australians who will make important contributions to Australia in engineering and sustainability, and are proud to be associated with Origin."