The General Sir John Monash Foundation held its 13th John Monash Oration with the chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Kim Williams AM delivering a timely address on truth, trust and knowledge in the media.
The highly anticipated annual event, hosted by the Commonwealth Bank, brought together a distinguished assembly of Foundation members, friends, supporters and Scholars to reflect on the vital role of leadership in shaping Australia’s future.
In his Oration, Mr Williams argued strongly that the role of the media is to preserve and protect democracy in the face of major societal challenges and upheavals.
“Our duty is to show people that the truth can survive and still be discerned in a world of multiplying fake news, bigotry and populist opinion,” Mr Williams said. “We must make democratic politics based on the exercise of reason once again the norm.”
Zelie Heger, a 2010 John Monash Scholar and barrister from Eleven Wentworth Chambers, provided a response to Mr Williams’ address. Ms Heger, whose scholarship supported her pursuit of a Master of Law in Human Rights at the University of Cambridge, underscored the media’s important role in democracy and the justice system.
“The media is not something we can take for granted, and we need to invest in it to ensure it continues to be a beacon of truth and knowledge in the face of so much disinformation and irrational thought,” Ms Heger said.
The evening also celebrated the enduring partnership between the General Sir John Monash Foundation and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. This collaboration has enabled emerging Australian leaders to pursue postgraduate education at some of the world’s most prestigious universities. Since the partnership began in 2003, the Commonwealth Bank has awarded fourteen Commonwealth Bank John Monash Scholarships, with recipients continuing to demonstrate leadership at national and international levels.
Jillian Segal AO, Chair of the General Sir John Monash Foundation, expressed her gratitude for the Commonwealth Bank’s ongoing support, saying: “For over two decades, the Commonwealth Bank has stood with us in our mission to cultivate the next generation of Australian leaders. Their commitment to education and leadership is commendable, and we are proud to continue this journey together.”
Andrew Hinchliff, Group Executive, Institutional Banking and Markets Commonwealth Bank, said: “It’s an honour to continue our long-standing support for the General Sir John Monash Foundation. The scholarship program has fostered the talent of incredible young Australians who are going on to make significant contributions in their chosen fields and in our society more broadly.”
