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Report by
Chief Executive
Officer
Adam Davey
Having been warmly welcomed into the Winston Churchill
Memorial Trust ‘family’ as CEO in mid-July, I am pleased and
honoured to report on the continued success of this important
community asset.
As our 50th Anniversary celebrations ended we awarded Churchill
Fellowships to 106 Australians to travel the world to learn and
share their knowledge with the community. They join a cadre of
inspirational Australians who, in following their passions for the
benefit of the community, are honouring Sir Winston Churchill’s
legacy.
It is abundantly clear that our organisation’s strength comes from
people: those who so generously donated to establish the Trust;
the stewards who serve and have served on our Board; our Life
Members; selection panel members; Churchill Fellows’ Association;
our sponsors and donors; our dedicated team at Churchill House;
and of course, the Churchill Fellows themselves.
The ongoing relationship that people have with the Churchill
Trust is special. I have already met many people who were part
of the national door-knock appeal in 1965. Their contributions
formed the core of the Trust which continues to give back through
the work of Churchill Fellows. Some of these people went on to
become Churchill Fellows and after many years are still involved
with us.
Our Churchill Fellows enjoy a lasting relationship with us, with
many staying in touch and welcoming new Fellows with advice
and support. Many years after undertaking their Churchill
Fellowship travel, countless Fellows are still actively pursuing their
passions and making a difference in their communities.
The Churchill Fellows’ Associations continue to play an important
role in keeping connections strong across the country. These
Associations are managed by dedicated and enthusiastic Churchill
Fellows and members of the community. We are introducing an
online forum for our Fellows to connect with each other across
the country and also when on their travels, with the aim of further
building relationships and sharing of ideas and knowledge.
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Taking on this role in time to attend many of the 2016 interviews
gave me an opportunity to quickly gain insight into the breadth
and depth of issues that aspiring Churchill Fellows are engaged in.
Pictured left Adam meets The Hon.
Jeremy Soames, grandson of Winston
Churchill and Trustee of the UK Trust
(December 2016)
It also allowed me to meet most of our selection committees
who have such a difficult job to do, such is the quality of people
applying for Fellowships.
I have met an incredibly diverse range
of Australians through the selection
process and our events - from the
aspirational to the inspirational and
everything in-between.”
Since our inception in 1965 the aim of the Churchill Fellowship
scheme has been ‘to enable Australians from all walks of life to
undertake overseas study, or an investigative project, of any kind
not fully available in Australia.’ This ethos goes to the heart of the
Churchill Fellowship. It is critically important that we stay true to
our original intent – it is what makes the Churchill Trust unique
and special and valuable to the whole community.
Equally important is that we continue to honour Sir Winston
Churchill and ensure that his legacy is well known. I find it difficult
to imagine his legacy not enduring. There is still so much written
about Churchill every day both in the news media and a torrent
of quotes appearing via social media. With the two feature films
‘Churchill’ and ‘Darkest Hour’ to be released in 2017 there will
be further exposure to aspects of his life and personality, albeit
through the lens of the respective writers and directors. Churchill’s
stirring oratory still resonates today, with many of his carefully
crafted words having become a part of our everyday language.
Our world has changed significantly since the Trust was
established in 1965 with our inaugural Churchill Fellows setting off
around the globe on a life-changing journey the following year. In
some cases, this meant a very long trip by boat. Many Australians
now travel overseas regularly.