John Bush Memorial Fund Scholarship

  • Category Foundation
  • Location Ballarat; Berwick; Gippsland
  • Annual value $5,000
  • Open date 08/01/2024
  • Close date 01/03/2024
  • Study sector Higher education
  • Study level Bachelor; Honours; Postgraduate
  • Student type Domestic; International
  • Student status New / commencing
  • Additional eligibility criteria
    • Students must be born in Thailand (proof required)
    • Thai-born students will either be Australian citizens through citizenship, permanent residents or international students.
  • Scholarships available 1

How to apply

Applications open 8 January, 2024.

You can log in and view eligibility requirements and information on how to apply.

Once applications open, you can apply through the Scholarships and Grants portal.

About John James Bush

Born in England in 1920, John James Bush immigrated with his family to Melbourne at a very young age.

After completing school, John joined Colonial Mutual, a financial services company. Aside from time away to serve in the army during WW2, he continued to work at Colonial Mutual for 30 years. At age 50, John decided to buy a newsagency in Dandenong, which he ran successfully for 15 years, before retiring to Queensland.

During his life, John became interested in Thailand and especially Thai culture. This affinity with the country led him to provide extensive charitable contributions to the county. His generosity also saw him provide educational funding and support to the daughter of his Thai-born nurse and full-time carer.

John made a provision in his Will for the establishment of "The John Bush Memorial Fund" ("Bush Memorial")- an enduring legacy that will continue to support the educational needs to Thai-born students in need of financial assistance.

John sadly passed on 17 December 2016. A bachelor, John had no immediate family apart from a few cousins. Equity Trustees is the sole trustee following the death of Prasong Jantakorn who was appointed as a Trustee by the Will, but who also died in 2013, before the Bush Memorial came into operation.

Specifically, the Will directs that the net annual income is to be distributed at the Trustees discretion. Funding is to be allocated for the provision of scholarships to cover the education needs of primary, secondary, tertiary and/or post-graduate, Thai-born students who need financial assistance and are looking to either commence or continue their education in Thailand or abroad.