Dr. Richard Harris OAM presented Scotch College Old Collegian Sophie Ludbrook with her 2019 Charles Hawker Scholarship certificate on Friday 14 June. Sophie is in residence at St Mark’s College and is enrolled in the Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery degrees at the University of Adelaide.

2019 Australians of the Year Dr. Richard Harris OAM and Dr. Craig Challen SC OAM were recognised for their heroic efforts as part of an international rescue mission to save 12 boys from flooded caves in Thailand last year. South Australian recipient Dr. Harris presented four new Charles Hawker Scholars with their scholarship certificates afternoon at a ceremony at St Mark’s College in Adelaide.

A small number of Charles Hawker Scholarships are awarded each year. The Trustees offer them to capable students of principle and character, who are committed to Australia’s future. The Charles Hawker Scholarship perpetuates the memory and commemorates the achievements of one of Australia’s most respected pastoral pioneers. Selection is based on personal qualities as well as academic ability. The four new scholars are studying Medicine, Agriculture, Law, International Relations and International Security Studies. Forty-five friends and family, college representatives, current scholars, members of the Alumni and Trustees of the C.A.S. Hawker Scholarship attended the function.

Sophie attended Scotch College from 2004 to 2016. She is a warm and generous person who always focuses on the strengths of others with genuine commendation. She is a keen academic, a resourceful learner and has high expectations to fulfill her enormous potential through grit and determination. Sophie is a motivated and caring young woman. She is a true team player and has also welcomed and embraced any opportunity to display her leadership skills. She is a sports person, a classical and contemporary pianist, a jazz dancer, a performer and a model. She currently holds the title of Australian Super Model of the Year.

Last year Sophie returned to SACE to ensure she achieved the grades she needed to enter medicine. She achieved four A+ results and three merits and an ATAR of 99.95 (adjusted, 98.85 raw), Academic Achievement Colours from Scotch in 2016, an Academic Achievement Award from Marden Senior College and a UMAT result in the 85th percentile in 2018. She has been inspired by the life of Charles Hawker and is determined to pursue a career and life with the same passion and dedication that motivated him. Sophie is a deserved winner of a C.A.S. Hawker Scholarship.

About the Scholarship

Mrs. Lilias Needham established the Charles Hawker Scholarship in memory of her brother Charles Allan Seymour Hawker. Today, each of these residential scholarships is valued at up to $60,000.00 over three years. It is one of the most generous privately funded scholarships available to undergraduate and postgraduate students in Australia. Since 1990, the Trustees have awarded more than six million dollars to 126 young Australians, including a significant number from regional areas. The four successful 2019 candidates were awarded Hawker Scholarships from an Australia wide field of 140 applicants.

Photo: Ms Tammy Parnel from Scotch College Adelaide, 2019 Hawker Scholar Ms Sophie Ludbrook and Dr Richard Harris SC OAM at St Mark’s College in Adelaide.