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CEFA Testimonials
Major General Michael Jeffery
Governor-General I firmly believe that all Australians, young and old, those born here and those who have come from other lands, should have a broad understanding of the system of government that has made our country one of the most successful democracies in the world. I hope that you will consider either participating in, or supporting this cause. By doing so you will be helping to give all Australians – especially our leaders of tomorrow – a greater appreciation of a system of government and a Constitution that has played a vital part in making Australia a country of which we can all be rightly proud. Steve Waugh
Australian of the year 2004 In my travels playing cricket for Australia, I saw a number of countries without the freedoms we enjoy. These experiences brought home to me the importance of the Australian Constitution.The more Australians understand the important role played by our Constitution, the stronger we will be as a community.” The Hon. Murray Gleeson
Chief Justice of Australia The idea of promoting awareness of and interest in our Constitution, especially among undergraduate students, is excellent. The Governor-General’s Prize and the conscious promotion in the community - and in particular to universities - of an interest in and understanding of, the Constitution is a very worthy project. I am delighted to participate in it. The Hon. Sir William Deane
Chairman, CARE Australia The Governor-General’s Prize Programme is an outstanding initiative. It will make a significant contribution to Australia’s awareness and understanding of our Constitution, our system of government and their history and working. By doing that, the Programme will serve the interests of the Australian people generally. Louise Hutton
University of Tasmania I believe this is an exciting and challenging opportunity for undergraduates like me. There is so much to learn about Australia’s Constitution – taking part in the Governor-General’s Prize is a great way to expand your knowledge and express your opinions. Marina Rizzo
NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office Australians want to contribute to our prized democratic country. This requires knowledge about our Constitution. As the daughter of an Italian immigrant family, an active member of my local ALP branch, and a community lawyer, I meet young Australians from a diverse rang of backgrounds. Not all of them know a lot about the Constitution. This initiative will encourage all students to learn more about the Constitution. Professor Greg Craven
Curtin University of Technology Bigger than the big Australian and more lasting than any economic boom, the Constitution is the greatest asset we have, CEFA will work in a strongly non-partisan way to enrich the understanding of Australians of their greatest asset; their Constitution. Dame Elisabeth Murdoch
CEFA Foundation Council On behalf of the Foundation Council, and as an Australian, I am proud to invite you to support what may well be our most important task. The Hon. John Howard
Former Prime Minister As a pioneer of democracy amongst free nations, Australia is one of the few countries to have been continuously democratic throughout the course of the twentieth century. Australia’s Constitution is the foundation of our system of government. It is uniquely Australian, shaped by Australians whose vision for this country embraced the democratic values and principles which still unite us today. Educational initiatives that raise awareness and improve understanding about Australia’s system of government and how it operates play a vital part in making us as a nation better informed about our constitutional heritage and better equipped to determine our future. I commend the Constitution Education Fund for encouraging Australians to learn more about the Constitution and our system of government.
Peter Lindsay MP
Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters
Letter to CEFA Re 2006 Inquiry into Civics and Electoral Education On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, I write to thank you for your assistance in nominating schools in Sydney for the Committee’s inquiry into civics and electoral education. These schools visits, held across the country, have provided an invaluable source of evidence for the inquiry and have given the Members an appreciation of the significant work being carried out in the field of civics and citizenship education. The Committee found the students of the schools you nominated to be informed, interested and inquisitive and the teachers to be dedicated professionals, committed to finding inspiring and critical ways to teach civics and electoral units. The Committee was particularly impressed with the culture of these schools, which clearly place a strong emphasis on the traditions of Australian democracy. The Committee is also appreciative of the work the Constitution Education Fund Australia has undertaken across Australian schools to promote democracy and active citizenship.
Professor Gabriel Moens
Dean, Murdoch University Law School Murdoch Law School offers its students an intellectually stimulating educational experience in order to prepare them for the domestic and international practice of law. The Governor General’s national essay competition is a worthy challenge for top students wishing to address topical issues of constitutional law or public policy. I was delighted that the fi rst Western Australians to achieve success at the highest level of the competition were Pauline German and Sarah Lealiifano from Murdoch University in 2005. 1/2 |
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