Fourth – and largest – cohort of Hansen Scholars join the University of Melbourne

Group of 23 students standing with the Vice-Chancellor and Chancellor in front of a building and some trees
The 2023 Hansen Scholars with Hansen Scholarship Program Patron and University of Melbourne Chancellor Jane Hansen AO (back row sixth right), Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Maskell (back row seventh right) and Program Director Dr Gayle Allan (back row far right). Image: Drew Echberg.

Twenty-three students from across Australia have been awarded the 2023 Hansen Scholarship, the University of Melbourne’s most generous and broad-based undergraduate scholarship.

This is the fourth – and largest – cohort to receive the annual scholarship, which is awarded to high-achieving students who demonstrate a commitment to helping and leading others, and experience financial or other barriers to studying at the University of Melbourne.

The scholars will be supported with a full scholarship for the duration of their bachelor’s degree at the University of Melbourne. They will also receive a living allowance, mentoring and pastoral care, academic, cultural, career and other development opportunities, and free accommodation in a purpose-built student residence, Little Hall.

From this year, scholars will be able to access these benefits when they continue into an honours degree at the University of Melbourne following their undergraduate degree, or if they study a Diploma of Languages alongside their degree.

Program Patron and University of Melbourne Chancellor Jane Hansen AO and Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Maskell presented the 2023 Hansen Scholarships at a ceremony in the new Arts and Cultural Building on the Parkville campus.

“I am delighted to welcome the fourth intake of Hansen Scholars to the University of Melbourne,” Ms Hansen said.

“These impressive young students have been selected in recognition of their outstanding academic success, resilience and determination to achieve their ambitions.”

“The scholars will be supported and encouraged to aim high and pursue their dreams while studying at the University. I look forward to watching their progress as they form life-long connections, a strong sense of purpose and develop into the future leaders they aspire to be.”

Professor Maskell congratulated the 2023 cohort and applauded the Hansen Little Foundation for their generous support.

“The Hansen Scholarship provides a transformative opportunity for students to access an outstanding university education and to embrace that opportunity in full,” Professor Maskell said.

“Like the cohorts before them, I have no doubt that these students will fully embrace the opportunity which has been provided thanks to the vision and generosity of Jane Hansen AO and Paul Little.”

Among this year’s cohort is:

  • A tech-savvy student who provided IT expertise to a community language school so their classes could continue during COVID-19 lockdowns
  • A School Education Captain who started a textbook recycling program
  • A volunteer who supported students with learning difficulties through the Ready Reader program
  • A passionate climate activist who interviewed politicians and spent four years on School Council
  • A young student who initiated the Youth Group Networking Project which linked several local youth groups to enable collaboration and resource sharing
  • A talented musician and composer who wrote and professionally recorded an original piece.

The 2023 Hansen Scholars are: Felicity Bayne (Perth Modern School WA), Mason Blyth (Geelong High School VIC), Kai Bowie (Oberon High School VIC), Nathan Burt (Hellyer College TAS), El Chamberlain (Auburn High School VIC), Evelyn Coorey (The Geelong College VIC), Lochlan Eastwood (Catherine McAuley College Bendigo VIC), Najila Ghafari (Braybrook College VIC), Ella Gibson (Catholic College Wodonga VIC), Alexander Khor (Melbourne High School VIC), Ethan Lay (Sacred Heart College Yarrawonga VIC), Chanel Li (Brisbane State High School QLD), Saskia Lynzaat (Castlemaine Secondary College VIC), Oliver Martin (Melbourne Grammar VIC), Shannon Murphy (Trinity Catholic College Lismore NSW), Mahsa Nabizada (Fairholme College QLD), Kyarah-Jayne Pumo (St Aloysius College VIC), Tasnim Thamer (Sirius College – Eastmeadows Campus VIC), Anthony Tran (St Albans Secondary College VIC), Paris Tran (Victoria University Secondary College VIC), Ruby Weir-Alarcon (Mount Erin Secondary College VIC), Annabel Woolward (The Friends’ School TAS) and Danial Yousuf (Nossal High School VIC).

For more information about the Hansen Scholarship, visit the website.