Royston George Booker

I am very, very happy to announce that I have been awarded the 2007 Royston George Booker Scholarship to assist with my field research for my PhD. As a bit of background, the scholarship was established by R.G. Booker, a retired Army Officer, in 1991 and is awarded to postgraduate (FT) students to undertake research overseas for their degree. While there are no specific outcomes required by the scholarship, I feel like I should honour the it and its benefactor for their generosity. Not only is it a great privilege to be doing a project like this, but to be recognised for my achievements and given assistance for it is truly humbling. For me, travelling the world to speak with people about their journeys is a dream come true. Many were the times during my last trip, to India, when I sat back and marvelled that what I was doing was at the same time 'work' and 'personal interest'. In fact, the project I am doing is exactly what I want to be doing, what I would want to do if I was doing something else, and what I would do if otherwise unoccupied. It is a great honour.

So, to R.G. Booker and family, and the University of Sydney, thank you. I shall do my best.