Paul Ramadge, new John Monash Foundation CEO, sets sponsorship goals

The General Sir John Monash Foundation’s Paul Ramadge says a key goal is to build high-level sponsorship for its prestigious scholarships.

Paul Ramadge is the new CEO of the General Sir John Monash Foundation. Photo: Daniel Pockett

Newly appointed chief executive of the General Sir John Monash Foundation Paul Ramadge says a key goal is to build high-level sponsorship for the postgraduate scholarships awarded each year.

So far the foundation, which is celebrating its 20th year, has sent 248 high-achieving Australians to overseas universities for postgraduate study across a broad range of research areas. Each of the scholars receives $75,000 a year for up to three years of study, as well as other support from the foundation. Funding comes from government as well as philanthropic sources, with many of the scholarships named after the companies or individuals who give their support.

Major companies including BHP, the Commonwealth Bank, Rio Tinto and Wesfarmers are supporters, and Mr Ramadge said he wanted to extend the network of backers in government, among philanthropic donors and particularly in corporate Australia.

“What I’d like to leave as my own legacy is that we are able to attract other national companies who can join us in the mission,” he said. “Australia’s still maturing in this space, still maturing in terms of highly effective philanthropy.”

The next round of scholars will be announced early next month and Mr Ramadge said he had been blown away by the quality of the young Australians who had applied who were “passionate about making a difference”.

He said he wanted more Australians to know what scholarship holders had achieved.

“We’ve got a scholar who’s currently advising the head of the World Bank. We’ve got a scholar who is at one of the big medical institutes in Australia making an extraordinary difference in his field. The list goes on and on,” he said.