22 January 2016
Fisheries Student Presented Australia Awards Ed Smith Memorial Prize
SolTuna employee Mr Hearty Matamaru has been presented with the prestigious Australia Awards Ed Smith Memorial Prize to study a Masters Degree in Fisheries Policy at the University of Wollongong.
Mr Matamaru was presented with the Prize by Acting High Commissioner Brendan Peace in Honiara this week, after being selected as the top candidate from a field of over 500 scholarship applicants.
The Prize was developed to honour the life and work of Edward Smith, an Australia High Commission officer who passed away while serving in the Solomon Islands in August 2014.
The Prize assists outstanding young Solomon Islanders to develop their leadership and professional skills in the fields of education, fisheries or agriculture.
In presenting the Prize, Acting High Commissioner Peace congratulated Mr Matamaru on his selection for the Award, wishing him well for his studies in Australia.
‘Mr Matamaru has an impressive record of professionalism and commitment to ensuring Solomon Islands’ fisheries resources are used sustainably to benefit all Solomon Islanders. I’m sure he will make a great contribution to this country on his return from studies.’
‘Like Mr Matamaru, our late friend and colleague Ed Smith was passionate about fisheries and education. Mr Matamaru is a fitting recipient of this Prize’.
Mr Matamaru joins 32 Australia Awards recipients from the Solomon Islands who will commence studies throughout Australia and the Pacific Region in 2016.
Image caption: Acting Australian High Commissioner Brendan Peace congratulates Hearty Matamaru for winning the Australia Awards Ed Smith Memorial Prize