Premier and Minister for Education and Skills, David Bartlett, said the 2008-09 Hardie Fellowships had been awarded to Government school teachers to study at universities in the US.

 “The four teachers who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence and innovation will study areas such as autism spectrum disorders, literacy research across a wide range of contexts including class, race and gender, engaging boys in literacy by using information technology, and media production and interpretation,” Mr Bartlett said.

“These fellowships are a great opportunity to harness knowledge for the benefit of all Tasmanians as the research and findings of the recipients can be shared with educators in all our Government schools.”

Tasmanian Perpetual Trustees Chairman, Dr Michael Vertigan AC, said that Professor Charles Hardie was appointed in 1946 as the first Dean of Education at the University of Tasmania.

“When Professor Hardie died in 2002, he left a generous bequest of $7.5 million from his estate to enable the Hardie Fellowships to be established,” Dr Vertigan said.

The Trust has now grown to over $10 million and the income  from the trust, managed by Tasmanian Perpetual Trustees, is released on an annual basis to fund the fellowships for teachers.

Through his bequest, Professor Hardie recognised that our teachers are the single most important factor in building a world class education system.

Mr Bartlett said that Professor Hardie had also spent a personally and professionally satisfying year of study at the University of Illinois in 1996.

“Professor Hardie also created a perpetual Trust of equivalent value, the income from which is forwarded to the University of Illinois each year. Subsequently the University established the Charles Dunn Hardie Professor Chair.

“We are honoured to have Professor Walter Feinberg as the inaugural Charles Dunn Professor visiting Tasmania to provide the Charles Hardie Address at a special function tonight in memory of Professor Hardie,” Mr Bartlett said.

Recipients of the 2008-09 Hardie Fellowships

Karen Gee – senior guidance officer in Learning Services (North) -  will study autism spectrum disorders at the Autism and Communication Disorders Centre at the University of Michigan. She will aim to study current research in the scientific study, diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents who are placed on the spectrum and the provision of clinical services to individuals, families and communities.

Dr Sarah-Jane Atkins – advanced skills teacher at Deloraine Primary School – is undertaking a post graduate Master of Arts study in Literacy Education Specialist Program (Birth-Grade 6) at the Teachers College, Columbia University. The program involves an intense study of literacy across a wide range of contexts such as individual/group literacy, teacher and curriculum development, and the impact of class, race and gender on literacy learning.

Simone Cunliffe – music, audio design and media production teacher at Claremont College – is undertaking a Masters Course at a number of US universities to develop her understanding of the narrative-based film industry. She also will strengthen her ability to develop students’ skills in media/moving image interpretation and provide pathway planning and guaranteeing futures for students in the media area.

Teresa Street – teacher at Dodges Ferry Primary School – is undertaking study about engaging boys in literacy at the Boise State University in Idaho. She aims to develop her skills in using technology as an integral part of her literacy program in order to motivate boys. She will attend the Boise State Writing Summer Institute and enrol part-time at Boise University to study and work with Dr Jeffrey Wilhelm regarding motivating and engaging boys.

Further information: Vanessa Fabris on (03) 6233 8973