Andrew Laming (Bowman, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

There are few stronger links than those between Australia and Turkey through the fortunes of history, but Turkey's great leader, known for his military prowess, obviously, will one day be remembered for his contributions to education. Ataturk said in the days after World War I that teachers are the only people who truly save nations. As a leader who made education one of his highest priorities, he is remembered for separating Islamic and secular law, introducing a completely new alphabet, and doubling literacy in his country between 1928 and 1940. These are the enduring legacies of Kemal Ataturk. So today, when we see Australian descendants and our Turkish community in Australia making it possible to continue that education, it has a wonderful symmetry.

In the gallery today, I recognise Mr Omer Incekara and, of course, retired Major General Michael Smith, who chairs the Gallipoli Scholarship Fund. Mr Incekara along with Mr Oz Girgin represent the two families behind the funding of this very important bursary. I do want to point out the structure. The Gallipoli Scholarship Fund for Australians is being supported by the Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Memorial Bursary, which is awarded 60 per cent on need and 40 per cent on academic prowess. It's available to Australians who are studying at a tertiary level—university or TAFE degree or diploma applicants in their first year of study. There will be one every year for four years, and these will be up to four years in duration.

The lasting bond of Australia and Turkey is furthered by this investment. Eja Collins, studying here in Canberra, is the first recipient. Her father is Major Leigh Collins AFC, and her grandfather served in UNTSO in Palestine in 1982-83. There are many connections here that we see, even in the first person awarded this bursary. It's a contribution from the Australian Turkish community. It shows just how serious they are about continuing those links through education. To quote Kemal Ataturk again, 'A good teacher is like a candle—it consumes itself to light the way for others.' This Gallipoli Scholarship Fund recognises that, giving young Australians a very important chance to be part of what is increasingly for Australia a geopolitical priority—to be able to study overseas and for the world to be able to study in Australia.

If we think of what, in 50 years time, will most solidify and crystallise Australia's future as a civil democracy, it probably won't be our agrarian history or our commodities; it will probably be our education. We can feed, provide for and educate the world. To have this unique bilateral relationship with Turkey is something very special. The great leader himself is probably referred to in this Chamber more than most foreign leaders, if you were to check Hansard. There are very few leaders that I enjoy reading about more—his history and his ability to lead after a war and to go on to do great civil and social reforms of a scale that you probably won't see in any other country. So thank you today to the Girgin and Incekara families for making this scholarship possible. It's something I think Australians will benefit from. It was opened and launched at the War Memorial back on 18 March. I look forward to the next four years of Australian students benefitting from that generosity.

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