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2025 Gallipoli Scholarship Awards

Australian War Memorial and Government House, Canberra – 1-2 May 2025

Meet the Gallipoli Scholars of 2025 

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The 2025 Gallipoli Scholar Awards were held in Canberra over two moving and memorable days, beginning on the 1st of May at the Australian War Memorial. Now in its 27th year, the Gallipoli Scholarship Fund celebrated its legacy by honouring a new cohort of Scholars in the presence of patrons, donors, families, and distinguished guests.

The commemoration began with Gallipoli Scholars Matthew Maguire and Grace Waters laying a wreath during the solemn Last Post Ceremony, paying tribute to the enduring ANZAC legacy. Guests then gathered in the Australian War Memorial Theatre, where Scholars Eja Collins and Riley Curtain introduced the evening’s formalities as Masters of Ceremonies.

Following the singing of the National Anthem and a Welcome to Country delivered by AWM Indigenous Liaison Officer Michael Bell, attendees viewed a short video highlighting the scholarship’s impact. The ceremony featured heartfelt speeches, including an address by Mr Ron Hand of Merrylands RSL Club and a keynote by Mr Matt Anderson PSM, Director of the Australian War Memorial.

The Scholarship’s Patrons then presented bursaries, Their Excellencies General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and Mrs Linda Hurley, alongside donors. Lieutenant Matthew Newman RAN, Chair of the Scholar Selection Sub-Committee, formally announced each award. The evening also included acknowledgements to the Fund’s valued supporters, led by Mrs Adriana Johnson, Business Development Officer.

Guests later shared in the Gallipoli Scholar Dinner, which featured moving tributes by Scholars Ashleigh Witenden and Mitchel Agnew, an address by Chair Major General Michael G Smith AO (Ret’d), and a response from Scholar Jorja O’Brien. The evening concluded on a unifying note with the singing of the Gallipoli Scholarship Song, led by Mrs Linda Hurley.

The following morning, on 2 May, Scholars and guests were welcomed to Government House for a guided tour of Yarralumla, further strengthening the ties between service, memory, and community.

A touching sentiment from one of this year’s Scholars captured the spirit of the occasion: “It was more than just an awards night — it was a connection to something greater.”

We are deeply grateful to all who contributed to making this year’s event a meaningful celebration of courage, legacy, and learning.

Watch the highlights video to experience some of the best moments from 2025 Gallipoli Scholar Awards.

Explore the highlights of the event through our photo gallery below, capturing the memorable moments and inspiring atmosphere of the 2025 Gallipoli Scholarships presentation day. Click the image to enlarge.

"I just wanted to say thank you to the members of the Gallipoli Scholarship Fund for their generosity. The scholarship means that I can now focus more of my efforts on my studies and I am extremely grateful for that. Thank you also for the presentation ceremony at the Merrylands RSL Club, it was an honour to be involved with such a group of men and women."
Annabel Toms2009 Gallipoli Scholar
"My studies are going really well – currently I am doing a project on Leonardo Da Vinci looking at his inventions as well as his art. I love my course and am very grateful to have been selected for a Gallipoli Scholarship." I’m set to graduate at the end of the year with a High Distinction average on the Dean’s List of Excellence in Academic Performance – that is, if I keep up the hard work."
Emily Keys2008 Gallipoli Scholar
"Thank you very much for awarding me a Gallipoli Scholarship. My Family and I were delighted, and I am extremely appreciative of the generosity of the Scholarship committee and the amazing opportunity it provides for young people like myself. I and my family enjoyed the presentation ceremony at the Merrylands RSL. It was lovely to meet members of the Gallipoli Scholarship Committee as well as representatives from the organisations that contribute to the Scholarship fund."
Rebecca Kuehn 2008 Gallipoli Scholar
"The money from the scholarship provided me with the financial security to focus on my studies and also allowed me to enjoy my time as a student and for that I am very grateful. The sacrifices of my great-grandfather in World War I encouraged me to join the army reserve so that I could serve my nation if need be, however for a career I have chosen to serve my government in the public service. I believe that the scholarship that you continue to provide young Australians is very helpful in a financial aspect, but it also does help create a sense of identity and pride in its recipients. Kind Regards and all the best."
Roger Stephenson2007 Gallipoli Scholar
"My first year of university has been extremely hectic, involving much hard work and dedication, but at the same time it has been a very exciting and enjoyable experience. The extra financial assistance that the scholarship provided greatly contributed to my positive experiences this year, especially as it allowed me to have secure accommodation (at Sancta Sophia College within the University of Sydney), purchase essential text books and it greatly helped with daily travel expenses (my university course is on a different campus to that on which I live). The scholarship has eased the financial and consequent emotional stress placed on my family, allowing them to enjoy my university experience as much as I have."
Keely Morris2007 SGallipoli Scholar
"I would like to thank the Gallipoli Scholarship fund for providing me with financial assistance for my first year of study engineering at the University of New South Wales(UNSW). The scholarship has allowed me to live and study comfortably without the need to have a part time job. Having this financial assistance removed a large amount of the stress associated with moving to Sydney from a rural area. Not having to worry about money during this time allowed me to focus purely on university work and settling into life in Sydney. I have been very happy with my results from my first semester; I obtained a credit average across my four subjects of Physics, Mathematics, Engineering Design and Engineering Mechanics. I’m enjoying immensely living and studying in Sydney at UNSW and would like to thank the Gallipoli Scholarship for contributing to my University experience"
Jaxon O’Shea2007 Gallipoli Scholar