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A second-year Law student with a strong commitment to achieving social justice has been awarded this year’s Ciara Glennon Memorial Law Scholarship.

Western Australia’s Chief Justice Wayne Martin QC today presented Linda Nguyen, 22, of Morley, with the generous scholarship at The University of Western Australia.

The daughter of Vietnamese migrant parents, Linda mentors primary and high school refugee students and volunteers within the Vietnamese community. She has also worked as a volunteer for community groups and charities, including EdConnect, St Vincent de Paul, STYLEAID and the Loftus Community Child Care Centre.

Linda completed a Bachelor of Commerce at UWA in 2015 and is now undertaking the Juris Doctor, a postgraduate law degree. As well as a full-time study load, she also volunteers as a student ambassador for Aspire UWA, the University’s award-winning student outreach program. Aspire works with schools around the State to encourage high school students from low socio-economic backgrounds to access the lifelong benefits of tertiary education.

In addition to her studies and volunteer commitments, Linda works several part-time jobs to put herself through university, including roles in customer service at the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC), as an academic tutor and paralegal at Jones Day.

“Each hardship that I have faced, and no doubt will continue to face, has strengthened my passion for social justice,” Linda said. “It has been the main driver behind my motivation to study law, so that I can serve as an advocate for the most vulnerable.”

The Ciara Glennon Memorial Scholarship was established at UWA in 1998 following the death of lawyer Ciara Glennon, and is sponsored by Ashurst (formerly Blake Dawson), the law firm where Ms Glennon worked. It is awarded annually to a full-time student from UWA’s Law School who:

• requires financial assistance to continue their studies;
• makes a recognisable contribution to the community in a charitable, cultural, religious or sporting area;
• demonstrates an active interest in an area outside the practice of law; and
• demonstrates a balanced, well-rounded approach to life and a genuine concern for others.

UWA Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Kent Anderson said Linda was a fantastic recipient and fitted exactly where the scholarship was trying to have impact.

“Linda’s volunteer work with primary and high school students, mentoring refugees and helping improve their life skills, confidence and self-esteem demonstrates her strong commitment to helping others,” Professor Anderson said.

Past winners of the Ciara Glennon Scholarship include 2003 Rhodes Scholar Ben Gauntlett and 2010 Rhodes Scholar at Large Jessica Panegyres.

Media references

David Stacey (UWA Public Affairs)                                   (+61 8)  6488 3229