From the Prime Minister who helped launch the John Monash Scholarships – a look at what’s next 

Sydney, 25 June 2025 — Australian leadership takes many forms and who we choose to develop, what values we prioritise and how we prepare the next generation — is more relevant than ever. 

This week, the General Sir John Monash Foundation welcomed the Honourable John Howard OM AC for a private lunch with a small group of John Monash Scholars and Foundation partners to reflect on these themes. 

As Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Howard's support was instrumental in the establishment of the first John Monash Scholarships in 2004.  

"We needed to have a global scholarship for Australia and we wanted to name it after a great Australian leader, John Monash,” Mr Howard said. 

“Monash was a great leader for Australia, even in the face of great adversity.” 

Two decades on since the first John Monash Scholars left our shores, Mr Howard meet with some of the Australian leaders the scholarships have supported — and to reflect on what leadership has meant to him. 

"Leadership is more important now than it ever was,” Mr Howard said.  

"Aspiring leaders need to get involved in the community and in associations and be connected to people to understand what it means to lead."

In a wide-ranging and relaxed discussion, Mr Howard shared stories from his time in office, lessons from global affairs and reflections on civic responsibility and public service. 

Among the voices at the table was Jillian Kilby, 2013 BHP John Monash Scholar and founder of The Stable Group and The Exchange. A civil engineer by training and regional changemaker by practice, Jillian’s perspective on leadership is grounded in her deep connection to rural New South Wales and sharpened by global experience at Stanford University. 

“What struck me most was Mr Howard’s emphasis on values — that leaders need to ‘nail their values to the mast’. That deeply resonated with me,” Jillian said. 

“In my work across regional Australia, I’ve seen time and again how communities respond when they know what you stand for and why. Whether you're leading a project, a business, or a movement — clarity of purpose builds trust. 

“I also appreciated his honesty about mistakes. There’s power in hearing a former Prime Minister say that even great leaders, like Churchill, got things wrong. It gives permission to act boldly — to move forward with courage, knowing that learning and leadership go hand in hand. 

“Hearing Mr Howard talk about instinct and action during the Port Arthur tragedy was a reminder of how leadership shows up in malleable moments. 

“I think all of us — especially those working to shift the dial in policy, infrastructure or social change — need to be ready to seize those moments. Because when you don’t, as he said, it colours the rest of your life.” 

We’re grateful to Mr Howard for his ongoing support of the Foundation and for his early support for the John Monash Scholarships, which have advanced more than 282 outstanding Australians to date.