In 2014 Captain Matthew Flinders was honoured with a bronze statue created by sculptor Mark Richards at one of Britain’s busiest train stations, Euston in North London. With the support of Flinders University the Matthew Flinders Memorial Statue Steering Committee, including Flinders own Gillian Dooley, Special Collections Librarian, worked tirelessly to fund the project through the sale of individually numbered statue maquettes and donations. Such was the success and interest in Matthew Flinders that funds were also available to establish a scholarship in honour of the project and the spirit of collaboration. Echoing Flinders own voyage and to further develop educational links between South Australia and the UK the scholarship recipients will embark on a cultural exchange.
Two scholarships are available each year, one for a student to study at Flinders and one for our students to attend a university in Britain. The 2017 Flinders recipient is Eloise Quinn-Valentine who is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts-Enhanced Program for High Achievers/Bachelor of Science, and will travel to the Royal Holloway University in London in September. We’d like to welcome the UK nominee, Madeleine Peston to Flinders, she is currently studying a Bachelor of Archaeology at the University of Leicester.
In 2016 the inaugural Matthew Flinders Memorial Statue Scholarship 2016 recipient was Lauren Bryant who was at the time studying a Bachelor of Archaeology and has now continued at Flinders as a post-graduate student.
Lauren travelled to the University of Leicester and stayed at the on-campus accommodation, she made a great support network of friends of both local and international students. Lauren became involved in the International Student Club and found she grew in confidence through the challenges and opportunities found in being overseas and away from home, meeting new people and traveling to Europe between terms.
“I also found the process of making friends quickly valuable because it gave me more confidence and helped me feel more comfortable speaking especially in groups.”
Archaeology and Ancient History at Leicester comprises a world-class, international team of scholars engaged in cutting-edge research and teaching. Lauren’s access to active medieval history sites was for a budding archaeologists a truly unique experience that is unavailable in Australia and greatly expanded her knowledge and skills.
“I found it great to be able to get a broader perspective on archaeology by interacting with different students and professors.”
Two bronze casts of the Matthew Flinders Memorial Statues have also made a cultural exchange to Australian shores. Flinders University was fortunate to be able to install the statue at the Tonsley Innovation Precinct in May 2016 and in February 2017 a third replica has also been installed in the rural City of Port Lincoln on the lower Eyre Peninsula.
Published 2017.
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