The first 100 Westpac Bicentennial Scholars converge

Westpac Bicentennial Foundation achieved its aim of selecting the first 100 scholars across its five scholarship categories.  In April, marking the bank's 199th anniversary, all recipients converged in Sydney for the inaugural two-day Westpac Scholars' Summit.

Launched in 2014, the Westpac Bicentennial Foundation created the single largest private education scholarship program in Australia's history.

Designed as a gift to Australia to mark Westpac Group's bicentenary in 2017, a one-off contribution of $100 million will fund 100 new scholarships every year, forever, to individuals from all walks of life with the potential to shape Australia's future.

Westpac Bicentennial Foundation CEO Susan Bannigan said bringing together the first 100 Westpac scholars was a significant milestone.

"I'm truly inspired and humbled by the passion, courage, tenacity, capability, imagination and drive that we've witnessed in so many of our scholars," Susan said.

"These qualities give us great confidence that the current generation of Australians will keep pushing Australia to remain one of the best and brightest countries in the world," she said.

"The incredible diversity between our scholars is something that's very important, because we recognise that it takes people from all walks of life, from different backgrounds, with different mindsets, values and views to build an inclusive, vibrant and future-focused society," Susan said.

"I'm excited to contemplate the powerful potential we have created by bringing these brilliant minds together, as we support them to stay connected and creative into the future and grow their size by 100 each year."

In November 2015, the scholarship program was recognised for 'Outstanding Philanthropic Support for Higher Education' at the Business/Higher Education Round Table Awards.

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