Homepage Spitfire Association newsroom

Are you the 2022 Spitfire Memorial Defence Fellow?

Announcement posted by Spitfire Association 09 Aug 2021

The Spitfire Memorial Defence Fellowship was established in 1998, by the late AVM Lyndon Compton, AO, OBE, the late FLTLT Edward (Ted) Sly DFC, the late FLTLT Peter Watson DFC and shortly after the founding they were joined by late Lifetime Vice President FLTLT Lysle Roberts. Their vision for the Fellowship was as an ongoing living memorial rather than a traditional granite and bronze monument.

Each year a Fellowship of up to $AUD45,000 is available for those who meet the following criteria:

  • Are Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia,
  • can demonstrate sustained academic achievement or significant and relevant work experience,
  • a detailed description of, and rationale for the proposed program of research, or area of study including the proposed output,
  • demonstrated interest in the defence of Australia,
  • the Fellowship cannot be used to cover salary,
  • attention will be paid by the Selection Committee to the quality of the project proposed, referees provided and the potential outcomes.

Fellowships may be granted to any individual, organisation, or company that meets the criteria above and satisfies the Selection Committee.

The Fellowship continues to this day. Past Patron ACM (Ret’d) Mark Binskin, AC and current Patron and Chief of the Air Force Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, AO, DSC take an active role in helping shape our future as does Spitfire Association Patron Air Vice Marshal Mark Skidmore, AM.

Today the Spitfire Memorial Defence Fellowship continues to be directed by the Spitfire Association and is managed on behalf of the Association by the University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

Whilst the UNSW manages the SMDF, Fellowships are invited from both within and externally to the UNSW.

To find out more about the Spitfire Memorial Defence Fellowship and  link to the UNSW page for applications, please go to: https://www.spitfireassociation.com/smdf.php

About the Spitfire Association

The Spitfire Association remains a contemporary organisation, well beyond the lives of our founding members, the Spitfire pilots, and crews. 

Today we not only provide a reason for commemorative occasions such as ANZAC Day and other social gatherings but work tirelessly to help Australia remain resilient.

The Spitfire Association retains its heritage in a contemporary form and looks forward, to ensure a relevant contribution to the future. As with the Royal Australian Air Force, we bring together our past, present, and future.

  • The past involves preserving the memory of the air and ground crews of World War II, the men and women in war support roles, and the Spitfire aircraft.
  • The present is our yearly calendar supporting membership, functions, tours, fundraising, our links with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and growth of the Spitfire Association. The present also considers how the Spitfire Association helps Australia remain resilient.
  • The future is the work of the Spitfire Association as it supports fund raising to maintain and grow our ability to help keep Australia resilient. We do this by continued and active maintenance of the Spitfire Memorial Defence Fellowship, as well as bring other selected projects to life.

Maintaining the right balance as we reshape is crucial. We are committed to ensuring that we forever remain a living, breathing memorial to the Spitfire generation, whilst Carrying their Spirit Forward.

 

Contact us

To Join the Spitfire Association www.spitfireassociation.com/shopping_cart.php

To buy tickets to our 60th Anniversary celebration: www.spitfireassociation.com/spitfire60_dinner.php

To contact the Spitfire Association:

To speak to someone at the Spitfire Association:

  • President – Geoff Zuber on +61 0 409 773 840
  • Vice President – Leon Waxman on  +61 0 402 087 405