La Trobe student Hannah Gandy will study postgraduate law at University College London, after receiving a prestigious John Monash Scholarship.
Last month Hannah was a finalist for another esteemed award – the Rhodes Scholarship – and also received a scholarship from the Order of Australia Association Foundation in 2019.
Hannah said she hopes this life-changing opportunity will help her achieve better outcomes for young people.
“I disengaged from education for a number of years in early secondary school, before becoming the first student at the Pavilion School to complete my VCE,” Hannah said.
“My early experiences were a huge challenge for me – but they also made me determined to support other disadvantaged young people through advocacy, policy change and equitable legal representation.
“This incredible opportunity to study at University College London, and be influenced by inspiring mentors and students, will put me in a strong position to achieve that,” Hannah said.
Dean of La Trobe’s Law School Professor Fiona Kelly congratulated Hannah on her latest achievement.
“We are very proud of Hannah, and will watch with interest as she graduates this year and embarks on the next chapter,” said Professor Kelly.
“Her exceptional leadership abilities, and desire to change law for the better, stand her in good stead to have a meaningful impact on the world.”
Hannah will graduate from La Trobe this year with a Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts. With her John Monash Scholarship, she plans to study a Master of Laws specialising in Law and Social Justice.
She works for Banyule Youth Services as a Youth Worker and at the Fair Work Commission, and currently volunteers for Legal Action for Afghanistan.
Hannah also worked for the School Partnerships Program at La Trobe University, introducing disadvantaged young people to tertiary education.
The John Monash Scholarships are amongst the most important postgraduate scholarships currently available in Australia and are awarded to outstanding Australians who demonstrate remarkable qualities of leadership.
Hannah is one of only 18 people to receive the scholarship for 2022, from 245 applications across the country.
Image: Hannah Gandy by the Regent’s Canal in London
