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Ramsay Scholarship for Amy

By Mr David Galliford, Secondary Teacher

Amy Galliford, former College Captain and Dux of Toongabbie Christian College (2018), will soon depart for the University of Cambridge as a Ramsay Scholar, having been announced as one of the outstanding young students to be granted the award in 2024. Amy graduated in 2018, having been Prefect, College Captain and Dux in Year 12. She attended The University of Sydney in 2019, planning to study English and Sociology, where she was awarded a Dalyell Scholarship by the University, part of which included a travel grant that she could use to fund study at an overseas university as part of her degree. A week of study at summer school at Cambridge during the Australian mid-year break was the catalyst that sowed the seed of ambition to one day return and further her education and personal growth overseas. On her return from summer school, she completed her double degree. She now holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Advanced Studies from The University of Sydney, for which she was named a Dalyell Scholar and was included on the Dean’s List for academic merit. Since graduating, Amy has worked as a reporter for a church network and supported an author in the cultivation of ideas for his recent book on the art of persuasion. While her current positions involve communications and creative strategy, Amy’s passion for ideas and language expresses itself through essay, poetry and song. Earlier this year, Amy applied for a place in a Masters Program at the University of Cambridge to enhance her learning and further develop her world experience, as well as for a scholarship from The Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation that would provide the funding to do so. After a series of what she describes as miracles, she was granted both a place at Cambridge and the Ramsay Scholarship.

With the Ramsay Scholarship, Amy will study a MPhil in Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion where she is keen to explore questions of free will, belief, meaning and purpose. In the future, she hopes to influence public opinions through both intellectual and artistic avenues, illuminating the timeless truths most vital to our cultural moment. The scholarships are awarded each year by The Ramsay Centre to students who are “committed to advancing a deeper understanding of our civilisation through study at the world’s best overseas universities”. Toongabbie Christian College congratulates Amy on this special step in her blossoming future and we wish her God’s continuing blessings as she embarks on this new adventure. We farewell her with our prayers and blessings and we thank God for His goodness and grace.

Amy receiving the award of the World Universities Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship from the The Ramsay Centre CEO Dr Martin Fahy and Board Member Dr Amanda Bell AM.

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