A third-year Law student with a passion for the law, arts and environment has been awarded this year’s Ciara Glennon Memorial Law Scholarship.

Western Australia’s Chief Justice Wayne Martin QC today presented Isabel Inkster, 24, of West Leederville, with the scholarship at The University of Western Australia. This year marks 20 years since the first scholarship was awarded following the death of UWA law graduate, Ciara Glennon. 

Isabel completed a Bachelor of Arts at UWA in 2015 and is now undertaking the Juris Doctor, a postgraduate law degree, writing a supervised research thesis on climate litigation.

The former Shenton College student has supported herself throughout her studies at UWA with a number of jobs including working at law firms, book stores and Fringe World Festival. 

Isabel has also worked as a paralegal at the Mental Health Law Centre, and as a volunteer for RTRFM. She’s currently employed as a research assistant in disputes and investigations with Allens Linklaters and as a contracted clerk with Albert Wolff Chambers.

The Ciara Glennon Memorial Scholarship was established in 1998 with the support of the Glennon family. It is sponsored by Ashurst (formerly Blake Dawson), the law firm where Ms Glennon worked. 

It is awarded annually to a full-time student from UWA’s Law School who needs financial help to continue studying, makes a recognisable contribution to the community, demonstrates an active interest in an area outside the practice of law and who shows a balanced approach to life and concern for others. 

Isabel said as a full-time student supporting herself, the scholarship would greatly ease her financial hardship.

“The support of this scholarship will enable me to focus more on my studies while pursuing opportunities that I would otherwise have to forgo,” she said. “I feel greatly honoured to receive this scholarship and appreciate the support and generosity of Ashurst and the Glennon family.”

UWA Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs said Isabel was a worthy recipient who demonstrated many of the qualities the scholarship embodied.

“Isabel has managed to maintain a strong academic focus on her demanding law studies while juggling two part-time jobs and volunteering to help others,” Professor Biggs said. “She is also passionate about the arts, a keen hiker and member of UWA Women’s Football Club.”

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

Media references

David Stacey (UWA Media and Public Relations Manager)     (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716