Scholarships pay tribute to Bob Such MP

Bob Such Memorial Scholarships inaugural presentations 30 October
Local MP Annabel Digance, right, and Professor Parkin, with Lyn Such, centre, and six of this year’s scholarship recipients.

The inaugural Bob Such Memorial Scholarships have been awarded to first-year students at Flinders University.

Funded by the State Government, Flinders University and donations from the community, the $2500 scholarships provide financial assistance to help young South Australians to embark on university study.

After the passing last year of long-serving SA MP Dr Such, the Premier Jay Weatherill announced the establishment of a scholarship for students living in Adelaide’s southern suburbs.

“Bob Such believed in the transformative power of education and was committed to finding ways of broadening opportunities for all South Australian,” said State Government spokeswoman Higher Education Minister Gail Gago.

“He wanted young people to reach their potential, continue to learn, and develop and to contribute to the broader community.

“It would have meant a lot to Bob to have educational scholarships in his name that will improve the lives of disadvantaged South Australians.”

Dr Such had a life-long passion for education and graduated from of all three of the State’s public universities.

He received a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Economics and Politics and a PhD in Environmental Politics from Flinders University, a Diploma of Teaching from the University of South Australia and a Diploma of Education from the University of Adelaide.

Recipients of the inaugural Bob Such scholarships are: Makayla Brown (Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Health Sciences); Deng Bulabek (Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Arts); Tayla Gray (Bachelor of Behavioural Sciences); Elyse Clark (Education, Arts); Amanda Kellett (Education, Health Sciences); Rebecca Kozien (Education, Arts); Trudy Martin (Health Sciences); Prue McFarlane (Education, Arts); Helen Ross (Education, Arts); Philip Stanley (Education, Arts); Kate Winn (Education, Arts).

Flinders University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Andrew Parkin said Dr Such shared the University’s vision for social equity and enhanced access to tertiary education.

“Flinders alumnus Bob Such’s personal interest in and advocacy for education was a driving force in his public life,” Professor Parkin said.

“He saw education as a means both to transform the lives of individuals and to change society for the better. In particular, he recognised education for its major role in understanding and addressing social and economic disadvantage.”

For more information on the scholarship visit: www.flinders.edu.au/giving/giving-opportunities/commemorate-a-life/bob-such-memorial-scholarship.cfm

Posted in
College of Science and Engineering Corporate Engage Engineering at Flinders News Politics and Public Policy Social Work and Social Planning Sociology Students Teaching and learning