$3 million given in university scholarships

Media Release

13 May 2008

$3 million given in university scholarships

Freemasons New Zealand has provided scholarships totaling $3 million to nearly 850 students at Auckland, AUT, Waikato, Massey, Victoria, Canterbury, Lincoln and Otago universities, over 31 years, making The Freemasons Charity one of the country’s largest, privately funded university scholarship programmes.

Marking the 31st year of Freemasons’ benevolence in New Zealand university scholarships the Governor General, Hon Anand Satyanand, today presented 35 students with scholarships totaling $238,000 at Government House in Wellington. 28 graduate students each received $6,000 and seven post-graduate students each received $10,000.

Freemasons Grand Master, Barry McLaggan, says a recent major revamp of the scholarship programme has increased the value of the scholarships offered and altered the application criteria.

“While applicants must be A grade students completing their degrees, they must also take part in a non-academic community activity.

“Today Freemasons have helped young New Zealanders towards careers as varied as aerospace design - earthquake proofing existing structures - assisting adolescent patients with eating disorders - taxonomy research to improve biosecurity - to name but a few.

“Our scholarship recipients are all high-achieving young people who recognise the importance and involvement of community service as well as academic success.

“For Freemasons, to give is to receive.  We come from all walks of life but are in agreement that education is pivotal to the success of young people and their on-going contribution to society.  To reward excellence in education is an investment in New Zealand’s future,” says Barry McLaggan.

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