Freemasons scholarships awarded

Six Victoria students have been awarded scholarships from Freemasons New Zealand in the 31st year of university scholarships awarded by the organisation.

Presented to Kimberley Andrews, Tim Armour, Eleanor Bishop, Alexander Feary, Greg Haslett, and Carol Sortis by the Governor General Hon Anand Satyanand last week, the scholarships total $40,000.

Criteria for application require that students excel academically and also contribute to the community.

The recipients are as follows:

Kimberley Andrews: A postgraduate science student, Kimberly Andrews is looking at the chemistry of meteorites and recently gave a presentation on her findings at a NASA-sponsored conference in Hawai'i. In her years at Victoria, she has also been a volunteer and Wellington Zoo and an exam reader-writer for children with writing disabilities.

Tim Armour: Studying for a conjoint BCA and BSc degree, Tim Armour is working towards a career as a chartered accountant. He balances his university work with community activities as a college maths tutor and as an organiser of fundraising sports events.

Eleanor Bishop: A theatre studies honours student, Eleanor Bishop has worked as a theatre producer and publicist and as a theatre editor for Salient. She intends to study internationally for her Masters and Doctoral degrees and alongside her academic studies, has been heavily involved in university debating.

Alexander Feary: Studying towards a BSc in ecology and biodiversity, and a BA in environmental studies and geography keeps Alexander Feary busy academically. He rounds out his time with a number of campus and community-based support activities, including volunteering as a Youthline telephone counsellor.

Greg Haslett: Chemistry honours student Greg Haslett intends to follow with a PhD in chemistry and would like to be involved in research chemistry that looks at real world applications and that directly impacts people's lives. He volunteers at Wellington's Trade Aid store and tutors secondary school chemistry students.

Carol Shortis: A scholar and composer, Carol Shortis is an honours music student, and has had a varied career so far with the London Metropolitan Police, in tourism, organic foods and business administration. Along with her studies she maintains an interest in choral music and has been a member of the Bach Choir, Victoria Voices and the Community Choir of Wellington.

More information about scholarships at Victoria University can be found at: http://www.victoria.ac.nz/home/admisenrol/payments/scholarships/