The Ray Finkelstein AO KC Scholarship
The Ray Finkelstein AO KC Scholarship will make it possible for humanitarian and indigenous undergraduate students who may not otherwise have been able to study law, to access these transformative opportunities.
The scholarship is named in honour of Monash Law alumnus, the Hon. Ray Finkelstein AO KC, sometimes called 'the Fink' by his close associates, who served as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia from 1997 to 2011. One of the pioneers of Monash Law, Mr Finkelstein was part of the second year intake of students in 1965. He graduated with a Bachelor of Jurisprudence and a Bachelor of Laws before returning as a teaching fellow at Monash University Law School in 1974 and 1975.
This perpetual scholarship is made possible by the generous support of the Lew and Pratt Foundations. It will provide valuable financial support to students who face barriers to pursuing their law education, enabling them to access rich learning experiences within one of the world’s best law schools.
The Ray Finkelstein AO KC Scholarship was announced at an event hosted by the law firm Arnold Bloch Liebler, with partner Leon Zwier as MC. Like many of the legal, and judicial attendees at the event, Mr Zwier was earlier in his career mentored by the Hon. Ray Finkelstein.
Speaking at the event, the 13th Chief Justice of Australia, the Hon. Chief Justice Susan Kiefel AC, highlighted the benefits that scholarship winners will gain from meeting Mr Finkelstein.
“Fink’s broad knowledge of the law and the breadth of his experience help make him an exceptionally good judge,” said Chief Justice Kiefel.
Executive Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Bryan Horrigan highlighted the value of the connection between the Law School and its esteemed alumni.
“On behalf of Monash Law faculty, we are incredibly proud of Ray as one or our prominent judicial alumni and to honour his name in perpetuity in this way is something that the Law School is very grateful to be a part of,” said Prof. Horrigan.
The Hon. Ray Finkelstein AO KC was born in Munich, Germany in 1946 to Polish parents. In early 1951, the family journeyed by boat to Melbourne as stateless Jewish immigrants.
In his speech at the launch, Justice Finkelstein expressed his vision for students from similarly challenging beginnings to benefit from the scholarship.
“It is my hope that this scholarship which is being established with Monash Law School will overcome some of these barriers and allow students to study law who would otherwise not have been able to do so,” said Justice Finkelstein.
The first recipient of the Ray Finkelstein AO KC Scholarship will be announced during Monash Law’s 60th anniversary year in 2024.