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Monday, 18 April 2011

A fourth-year Law/Commerce student with a strong commitment to helping the less fortunate has been awarded this year's Ciara Glennon Memorial Law Scholarship.

Western Australia's Chief Justice Wayne Martin QC today presented Grant Gilmour, of Cottesloe, with the scholarship at The University of Western Australia.

Mr Gilmour has spent the past five years as support worker and carer to an autistic boy and has worked as a volunteer for community groups and charities, including the Disabled Surfers' Association.

Last year he helped organise the first Australian student-run Relay for Life, raising more than $100,000 for the Cancer Council.  With the help of UWA Rotaract, Mr Gilmour also raised enough funds to send a young Cambodian man to law school in Cambodia.

Established at UWA in 1998 following the death of lawyer Ciara Glennon, the scholarship is sponsored by Blake Dawson, the law firm where Ms Glennon worked.  It is awarded annually to a full-time student from UWA's Law School who:

  • requires financial assistance to continue their studies;
  • makes a recognisable contribution to the community in a charitable, cultural, religious or sporting area;
  • demonstrates an active interest in an area outside the practice of law; and
  • demonstrates a balanced, well-rounded approach to life and a genuine concern for others.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson said Mr Gilmour more than adequately fulfilled the selection criteria for the scholarship.

"Grant's substantial contribution to the community reflects the aims of this University, which is to serve the community and the State and to encourage excellence in all we do," Professor Robson said.

Ciara's father, Denis Glennon, said it was serendipitous that both Ciara and Grant had been born in Africa, near the grave of Dag Hammarskjöld, one of the greatest contributors to the service of others.

"You have a new African-born friend walking beside you as you continue your generous journey," Mr Glennon said.

Past winners of the Ciara Glennon Scholarship include 2003 Rhodes Scholar Ben Gauntlett and 2010 Rhodes Scholar at Large Jessica Panegyres.

Media references

Grant Gilmour  (+61 4) 33 657 957
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716

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