Norman A. Smith Memorial Scholarship

The Norman A. Smith
Memorial Scholarship

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS

Introduction

The Norman A Smith Memorial Scholarship was established by the Waverley RSL sub-Branch in 1986 and is awarded annually. Over the past thirty-eight years, scholarship recipients have come from schools within the City of Monash and elsewhere. These Norman A Smith Scholars have gone on to carve out successful careers in engineering, medicine, law, research, public service, education etc., all benefiting the community.

Object of the Scholarship

To enable a Year 10 student, displaying leadership potential and a commitment to their community, and who lives or studies in the City of Monash, to continue their schooling through to tertiary studies. The subsequent career choice should seek to benefit their fellow Australians.

Norman A Smith 1922 - 1982

The Norman A Smith Memorial Scholarship honours a long serving RSL member. Norman worked tirelessly to assist ex-service personnel and their families coping with the many problems that confronted them post World War Two.

Norman was an executive member of RSL Victoria and President/Vice President/Secretary of the Waverley RSL Sub-Branch between 1962 and 1982.

He displayed a keen interest and concern in the welfare and personal development of young people. Norman was also intensely interested in and involved with competitive sport and encouraged young people to participate and develop their physical fitness.

The Waverley RSL Sub-Branch is proud to offer this scholarship in Norman's name.

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Scholarship Information for Schools and Applicants

Value of the Scholarship

The Waverley RSL Sub-Branch provides $10,000. The Scholarship was established in 1986 and has been awarded annually. The $10,000 is paid in two amounts in Years 10 and 11 (providing the winner maintains a satisfactory school record).

Scenes

from Presentation Night

September 2025

Left – The winner, Joanna Praveen with
Mr Neil Slaughter, Waverley RSL President, Mr John Mullahy, MP and Cr Paul Kliraris, Mayor City of Monash

Right- Sahitya Iyer, Svara Joshi, Mia Poultney, Shreya Kalani, Alex Robertson, Joanna Praveen, Chiara Strang

2026 Key Dates for Schools and Applicants

Friday 17th April - Information sent to schools.

Friday 15th May - Applications close by 4pm.

Saturday morning 25th July - Examination

Monday evening 10th August - finalists Interviews

Thursday evening 10th September - Presentation Night

Communication Process

All correspondence with schools is via email:

All queries and applications must be submitted to the committee via nass@waverleyrsl.com.au

Further committee contacts with schools, applicants and finalists will be by individual email address.

Committee members may contact individual schools if necessary.

You want to be an Applicant.

Who can apply?

You must be a Year 10 student who is a resident or enrolled at a school, in the City of Monash.
You must be an Australian Citizen

The Selection Process

You will submit a personal profile of your interests, school activities and community involvement.
you will attend and sit a 90-minute examination consisting of (1) multiple-choice questions about Australia and (2) an essay on aspects of leadership and community.
Your personal profile forms part of the assessment.
Exam + Essay + Personal Profile = your score
Five finalists will be selected and will be interviewed by a panel to choose the Norman A. Smith Scholar for 2026.
Schools will provide a confidential report for each finalist.