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A fourth-year Law/Commerce student with a strong commitment to voluntary community work has been awarded this year's Ciara Glennon Memorial Law Scholarship at The University of Western Australia.

Western Australia's Chief Justice Wayne Martin QC today announced that Mei Koh, 21, of Bullcreek, had been selected as the 2010 recipient of the scholarship.

Ms Koh has worked as a volunteer for organisations including the Manna Soup Kitchen in Northbridge, the non-profit organisation Southcare Inc, UWA's mentoring program, and the Oaktree Foundation's work in connection with the United Nations Millennial Development Goals.

Ms Koh also makes a substantial contribution as an assistant teacher and co-leader of a study group at her church.  From her part-time earnings she sponsors a 10-year-old girl in Rwanda.

The scholarship was established at UWA in 1998 following the tragic death of lawyer Ciara Glennon and 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 Ms Koh more than adequately fulfilled the selection criteria for the scholarship.

"Mei has already made a remarkable contribution to the community in a voluntary capacity and has pursued a wide range of interests outside the study of law," Professor Robson said.

"This element of the selection criteria - service to the community - reflects the wider aims of the University to serve the community and the State and to encourage excellence in all we do."

Professor Robson said scholarships helped talented students achieve their educational goals and the Ciara Glennon Memorial Law Scholarship was a particularly important scholarship within UWA's Faculty of Law.

"I would like to acknowledge Ciara's parents - Denis and Una Glennon - as well as the firm of Blake Dawson for the scholarship and the ongoing support of the study of law at this University," he said.

Mr Glennon said Mei captured many of Ciara's personal traits, including the value of friends, a concern for others less fortunate, a genuine humility, finding time to enjoy life in the midst of a busy schedule and a mischievous smile.

"My family sincerely hopes the scholarship will assist Mei, who, like others before her, is a very deserving recipient," he said.

Media references

Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716