Federation University Australia in regional Victoria has announced the establishment of a new scholarship for students in the region – and it’s all thanks to the scientist behind one of Australia’s most iconic foods.
The Cyril Callister Scholarship aims to support regional youth in pursuing their dreams of higher education and following in the footsteps of the award’s namesake – the renowned Australian scientist and inventor of Vegemite.
The Cyril Callister Foundation, established in 2019, is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Cyril Callister and promoting his remarkable contributions to science. The foundation operates the Cyril Callister Museum in Beaufort, around 160 kilometres from Melbourne, where visitors can explore the life and work of this great scientist.
The museum offers various educational programs, talks, tours, and even a shop dedicated to celebrating Vegemite, one of Callister’s most famous creations. Jamie Callister, Cyril Callister’s grandson and author of a book about his grandfather, is also available for speaking engagements, school visits, and events.
Cyril Callister was an alumnus of Ballarat School of Mines, completing his Bachelor of Science degree in 1914, followed by a Master of Science degree in 1917 and a Doctorate of Science in 1931 at the University of Melbourne.
Encouraging the inventors of tomorrow
The scholarship is valued at $1,000 and will be awarded to a deserving student from the Western Victoria region. Interested students are invited to check eligibility and apply. Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate science program and have a permanent address in the specified region. The recipient will receive the scholarship as a single payment after the census date
“We’d like to thank the Cyril Callister Foundation for their support and look forward to working together to develop the next generation of innovative thinkers in our region,” says Federation University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global and Engagement), Carolyn Chong.
“Students in regional areas often face greater financial and logistical challenges than their peers in the big cities, so scholarships like this can be the deciding factor for a student choosing to attend university or not.”
A living legacy
For Jamie Callister, grandson of Cyril Callister and president of the Cyril Callister Foundation, the foundation’s scholarship is “a fitting legacy that honours my grandfather’s achievements in creating the Aussie icon Vegemite”.
“In 1949, he donated to Federation University, then the Ballarat School of Mines, with a promise to visit. However, he never got the opportunity as he passed away later that year,” Mr Callister says.
“This scholarship is therefore entirely appropriate, and he would be extremely honoured to play a part in inspiring young scientists to discover and follow their own path in the field of science.”
