CHAMBERS OF CHANGE
Join us in creating inclusive pathways into the legal profession
Participants of the Victorian Women Lawyers’ Warren Moot – a competition providing the opportunity for participants to practice their advocacy skills and encourage female law students and junior lawyers to pursue a career at the Bar.
WHY CHAMBERS OF CHANGE?
A legal profession that reflects the diversity of our communities is essential to a fair and just society. Yet for many talented students, significant barriers remain to entering and succeeding in legal education. At Monash University, demand for equity scholarships far exceeds supply. Only around 10% of eligible students who apply for scholarships are successful. This means many students with exceptional potential continue their studies under significant financial strain or are unable to pursue law at all. Chambers of Change exists to address this gap by bringing together Monash Law alumni and friends who are committed to increasing access to legal education through sustained, transformational scholarship support.
A PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY OF LEADERSHIP AND CONNECTION
Chambers of Change is both a philanthropic commitment and a community of leadership.
Patrons of Chambers of Change are recognised for their generosity, leadership, and shared belief that access to legal education should not be determined by personal circumstance.
As a Patron of Chambers of Change, you will be invited to:
- connect with the Dean of Law, Professor Steven Vaughan, in relaxed, small-group settings
- build relationships with values-aligned alumni and members of the Law Faculty community
- form a meaningful relationship with your scholarship recipient and witness the difference your support makes.
Aligned with Monash University’s Impact 2030 strategy, this initiative reflects the Faculty of Law’s commitment to building a legal profession that represents the diversity of our society.
Who our scholarships support
- Equity scholarships would support the following students in the Faculty of Law:
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students.
- Coming from rural or remote Australia.
- Attendance at an under-represented secondary school.
- Being the first in their family to attend university.
- Financial hardship.
- Living with a disability or ongoing medical condition.
- Difficult family or life circumstances.
These students bring resilience, insight, and lived experience that strengthen the future of the legal profession.
THE IMPACT OF SUSTAINED SUPPORT
Scholarships do more than relieve financial pressure. For students from equity backgrounds, sustained support across the duration of their degree can be life-changing.
A scholarship of $10,000 per year over five years allows students to meet essential living costs, reduce reliance on paid work, and engage more fully in their studies. Over time, this stability supports academic success, wellbeing, and confidence, enabling students to focus on learning and professional development.
Just as importantly, scholarships send a powerful message to students that someone believes in their potential. For many recipients, this vote of confidence is as valuable as the financial support itself. Knowing they have been backed by those who have achieved impact in their own careers encourages students to aim higher, persist through challenges, and see themselves as belonging in the legal profession.
Graduates who benefit from this support go on to contribute meaningfully to the legal profession and the communities they serve
“Graduates who benefit from this support go on to contribute meaningfully to the legal profession and the communities they serve. I’m now the first in my family to attend university, let alone study law, and that’s largely thanks to this scholarship, which helped me move away from home to study and pursue opportunities that neither I nor my family ever thought possible. Receiving this scholarship has made me feel truly validated in my struggles. I feel seen, and I’m so incredibly grateful.”
Recipient of the Christopher Freeland AM and Nicole McKenna Scholarship
JOIN US
Establishing a scholarship through Chambers of Change
To participate in Chambers of Change, you will make a contribution by establishing a named equity scholarship in Law. The name of the scholarship can be in recognition of your personal values, family, or professional legacy.
The minimum commitment is $10,000 per year, for five years, to support one Law student across the typical duration of their undergraduate degree. Some donors choose to increase their commitment to support multiple students concurrently.
This structure ensures Law students receive consistent support throughout their studies, enabling them to fully focus on achieving their full potential. With greater financial freedom, students may also be able to take on additional opportunities for career development, such as legal internships and placements.
Scholarships are awarded in line with Monash University’s equity criteria to ensure the support reaches Law students who may otherwise be unable to attend university.
“I was one of the lucky ones. I acquired a first-rate legal education from Monash for five of the fifteen years when universities were free. So once I was making a decent living from that education it seemed only right to help those less fortunate than me. But the giving goes both ways. Seeing the students who’ve benefited from the scholarships – not only smart, but caring and compassionate – gives me hope for the future.”
Deborah Glass OBE, Chambers of Change Patron
Endowed scholarships
For donors seeking to create a lasting legacy, you have the option to establish an endowed scholarship in Law. An endowed gift of $250,000 enables the funds to be invested to provide $10,000 per year in ongoing scholarship support for a student, in perpetuity.
An endowed scholarship ensures your impact continues for generations, creating a permanent source of support for students from equity backgrounds. Our team would be pleased to discuss this option and how an endowed scholarship can reflect your values and philanthropic goals.
Optional ways to extend your impact
In addition to the core scholarship, some donors choose to enhance their support through optional extras, including:
- Travel grants – enabling students to undertake interstate or international internships, placements, or professional development opportunities. Travel grants also enable Indigenous students who have relocated to Melbourne to visit their family and friends on Country.
- Accommodation support – particularly valuable for students relocating from regional or remote areas
Thank you
We are grateful for your time in reviewing the information contained in this proposal, and for your interest in giving back to the Law community.
By establishing an equity scholarship through Chambers of Change, you’re helping to remove barriers, unlock potential, and shape a more inclusive future for the legal profession.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss your interest further and explore how your support can make a lasting difference
CONTACT US
For further information, please contact:
NIKITA MADSEN
Senior Development Manager, HASS
Monash Advancement
Monash University
M: +61 409 632 949
E: nikita.madsen@monash.edu
KALI OCHSE
Development Manager, HASS
Monash Advancement
Monash University
M: +61 488 006 935
E: kali.ochse@monash.edu
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