Scholarship opens up Oxford postgraduate study for 10 alumni

The scholarship is awarded to alumni who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, community service and who intend to return upon completion of their studies to make a contribution to Australian society.

The scholarship, which was established in 2006 by Sydney Law School and the Cameron family through generous donations made by family, friends and colleagues, serves as an enduring legacy to the late Peter Cameron. The inaugural chairman of the Sydney Law School Advisory Board and an inspiring and valued alumnus, Peter influenced many people with his passion for the field of law.

“Peter continues at the heart of our family – now a decade larger,” says Peter’s wife, Marty Cameron. “We talk of his stories, his humour and his wisdom. His grandchildren smile with him when they pick up his photographs. He'll always be with us.”

Thanks to the scholarship created in Peter’s memory, 10 Sydney Law School alumni have been given the life-changing opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Civil Laws (BCL) at the world-renowned law faculty.

Past recipients include Nicholas Condylis (2016), Heather Huddleston (2015), Daniel Ward (2014), Stephen Lloyd (2013), Andrew McLeod (2012), Sally Johnston (2011), Suzannah Morris (2010), Aaron Rathmell (2009), Anish Bhasin (2008) and Oliver Jones (2007).

The recipients have gone on to achieve remarkable academic and professional feats. All of them are sincerely grateful to the donors of the Peter Cameron Sydney-Oxford Scholarship for making their studies at Oxford possible.

Nicholas Condylis, the most recent scholarship recipient, gained a BCL with distinction from the University of Oxford, and the Clifford Chance Prize for Best Performance in Principles of Civil Procedure.

“Since returning from Oxford, I have been able to secure a place at the NSW Bar in 2018 at 12 Wentworth Selborne Chambers,” Nicholas says.

Heather Huddleston, the 2015 recipient, says that “completing the BCL was one of the most challenging things I have ever done. I made great friends and learned so much inside and outside the classroom, which will bring greater insight to my work in the legal profession.”

Daniel Ward completed the BCL at the University of Oxford in 2015. He gained an overall distinction, and also received Oxford’s Clifford Chance Prize in Civil Procedure and the Law Faculty Prize in Advanced Property and Trusts.

“Perhaps it is my bias,” Daniel says, “but I suspect the main obstacle in the path of many Sydney Law School alumni is not Oxford’s admissions panel but its fees. That’s why it’s hard for me to express the full extent of my gratitude to the donors of the scholarship.”

Stephen Lloyd, who received the scholarship for the 2013–14 academic year, acknowledged that it would not have been possible to go to Oxford without it.

“Because I had a family, I thought my window for any further study had closed,” he says. “Going to Oxford changed my life and has given me, and my family, a wonderful shared experience. I learned a great deal during my year away and returned a much-improved lawyer.”

Aaron Rathmell, the 2009 scholarship recipient, says it is “an honour to be a scholar in Peter Cameron’s name,” and credits the BCL for opening many doors.

“At the end of my studies at Oxford I was awarded the Peter Birks Memorial Scholarship to continue my study there, but decided instead to enrol in the Bar practical training course in London. I was voted into chambers in 2012 and have been practising ever since.”

As the 2008 recipient, Anish Bhasin was fortunate enough to study at Magdalen College during the college’s 550^th anniversary, witnessing celebrations including a visit to the college by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

“After completing the BCL, I undertook an internship in Trial Chamber I of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. I then joined Herbert Smith Freehills LLP in London in 2010, where I worked until 2016 before returning to Australia.”

Oliver Jones was awarded the inaugural Peter Cameron Sydney-Oxford Scholarship in 2007. Following his completion of the BCL, he decided on a career as a barrister in London. He says he is “immensely grateful to donors of the Peter Cameron Sydney-Oxford Scholarship for allowing me to undertake my studies at Oxford and go on to pursue my hugely rewarding career in London.”

Sydney Law School Dean Professor Joellen Riley says “our graduates have a long history of excelling at Oxford, and we are very fortunate to have the support of our donors (listed here) to be able to offer this scholarship to help them achieve their goals and aspirations”.

All donors were contacted before publicising their names. Donors who could not be contacted have not been listed. Any queries can be directed to law.alumni@sydney.edu.au.