Help with kelp: Tilba women wins Churchill Fellowship

Joanne Lane has been awarded the Yulgilbar Foundation Churchill Fellowship to investigate appropriate methods for introducing kelp farming aquaculture to Australia.

She will visit the USA, Canada, Norway, UK and Ireland.

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This year 112 people were awarded fellowships.

Other recipients won grants to further research into areas as diverse as sharks, extremism and disability.

The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust has awarded $3.1 million worth of Churchill Fellowships in 2018.

“The Fellowships address challenges Australia is facing right now by recognising experts across fields from education to arts, emergency services to health, and agriculture to sport,” a spokesperson said.

“Fellows are funded to travel internationally, to gather insights and knowledge that will benefit Australia.

“Inspired Australians will travel throughout the world in 2019 as recipients of the prestigious Churchill Fellowship, offering them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit other countries and investigate inspiring practices that will benefit Australian communities.

“The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust was established in 1965 to honour the memory of Sir Winston Churchill, and fulfil his wish for people from all walks of life to travel the world to gain new knowledge and share ideas and insights.

“Fellowships are awarded to everyday Australians who are passionate about challenging the status quo to create or make a positive impact on our society.” 

CEO of the Churchill Trust, Adam Davey, said the awards celebrated curiosity.

“Being recognised as a Churchill Fellow is a celebration of curiosity, they are ordinary Australians with extraordinary abilities and aspirations,” Mr Davey said.

“The Churchill Fellowship recognises new ideas. It is a celebration of expertise, innovation, expanding knowledge and creating new and better ways of addressing issues that matter in Australia right now.

“It is 53 years since the first Churchill Fellowships were awarded in honour of Sir Winston, however the projects that will be aided by his legacy are still, as he intended, firmly focussed on the future.

“While the award we offer may be steeped in history, we are proud that it still remains extraordinarily relevant.

“Churchill Fellows are up for a challenge, they are people who can foresee an opportunity, know how to address it and will use this experience to work with and learn from their international peers and some outstanding thought leaders.

“Each and every one of the 112 Churchill Fellows will return to Australia inspired with the practical knowledge and experience needed to advance their projects and embed new opportunities in Australia.”