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July 14, 2011 The Constitution Education Fund Australia (CEFA) is delighted to announce the winners of the Governor-General’s Undergraduate Essay Competition for 2010/11. Now in its eighth year, Australia’s most prestigious essay competition provides university students with the opportunity to be recognised for their academic skill, talent and research. Finalists this year were interviewed by an eminent panel chaired by The Hon. Justice Virginia Bell of the High Court of Australia. Her Honour hosted the judging of the finalists at the offices of High Court in Sydney on 12th July 2011.
The panel also comprised Dr Peter Gerangelos (Professor of Law, University of Sydney), Father Frank Brennan (Professor of Law, Australian Catholic University), Mr Michael Sexton SC, Solicitor-General of NSW, Mr George Harris, Partner, Barker & McKenzie and Mrs Kerry Jones, Executive Director, Constitution Education Fund Australia). Above: Members of the Governor-General's Undergraduate Essay Competition Final Judging Panel (L-R: Mrs Kerry Jones, Father Frank Brennan, Mr Michael Sexton SC, The Hon. Justice Virginia Bell (Chair), Mr George Harris,
Dr Peter Gerangelos) Following the conclusion of the judging, Justice Bell announced Sydney University law student, Ms Naomi Hart as the winner of the competition. Ms Hart's essay was on Australian refugee policy and the need for Australian laws to address this issue while considering humanitarian concerns and national security. The panel awarded Michael Kirby from Griffith University and Henry Norris from Bond University highly commended status for their essays. Mr Kirby’s essay was on Commonwealth/State relations whilst Mr Norris’ essay was on the topic of the role of the burqa in Australian society. The winning and commended essays will shortly be made available online. The students will be awarded their prizes by former Governor-General, Major General Michael Jeffery AC, AO(Mil), CVO, MC (Rtd) and Her Excellency, Professor Marie Bashir AC, CVO, Governor of NSW at a CEFA Awards Ceremony to be held in Sydney on November 29th, 2011. Justice Bell congratulated all of the students who participated. She wished all the participants well and thanked CEFA for organising this prestigious competition. CEFA’s Executive Director, Mrs Kerry Jones, stated “I am delighted that the Governor-General’s Undergraduate Essay Competition, now in its eighth year, provides the opportunity for so many university students to engage with Australia’s Constitution and our vibrant democracy. It was wonderful to see the students sharing their thoughts on the Australian Constitution, Australia’s place in the world and its relationship with others in a global community and the elements of good citizenship. I would like to thank Justice Bell and our distinguished panel of judges, the preliminary judges and the students who have been involved in the competition”. To access the highly topical and engaging questions for the 2011/12 Governor-General’s Undergraduate Essay Competition, go to www.essaycompetition.com.au The current competition closes on Friday, 30 December 2011 at 5pm AEST. |
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