CONCEIVING THE TRAVELLING SCHOLARSHIP

Idea No 2

Bob Armstrong had the idea after Reunion 2000 that the spirit of the event must be kept going as well as maintaining an association with the large and growing alumni of the school.

Idea No 3

A plan was hatched to establish a scholarship to support a worthy student and make good use of the Reunion funds.

And, perhaps, it could be named in memory of Eric Parker, the first full time teacher of the school and someone so well known to so many graduates, the University and the community at large.

There were more monthly meetings at the Institute offices recalling old times. New committee members arrived and others departed. By making the scholarship an official scholarship of the University of Newcastle, there would be a safe house for the funds as well as significant benefits in its promotion and attractiveness to potential sponsors and supporters. The Scholarship was formally established and registered with the University under somewhat trying conditions generated by the bureaucracy.

The Scholarship was advertised in April and May 2001 and 27 applications were received. Seven applicants were short-listed. Pleading letters were sent out for donations. The committee worked hard to attract anyone who looked moderately well off or, at least, admitted to it. It must have worked well as so many people have subsequently sent, and continue to send donations, both large and small. Bob Armstrong and the Toronto Workers Club, Ruth Parker, local practices, friends, overseas alumni, individuals, practices, the building industry and allied professions . . .

This dinner and early donations contributed $7000 to the fund.

Col Madigan joined Bob Donaldson, Jack Carroll, Carol Seymour and Ron Armstrong as the inaugural selection committee and selected the first recipient of what is a unique scholarship in the University. The rest is history.

The original Reunion 2000 Committee became the Eric Parker Travelling Scholarship Committee until October 2006. At that time, the Architecture Foundation was formally established to take responsibility for all fund-raising and financial matters in support of the Eric Parker Travelling Scholarship at the University of Newcastle. Six scholars had already been sent on their worldly travels by that time. Obviously, our numerous sponsors were impressed as they continue to support the work of the Foundation by way of generous annual donations and in-kind support.

In 2010, the award was renamed The Parker Prize to properly reflect its vision and true meaning. This year will mark the selection of the tenth travelling scholar.

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