Private gift shaping the future of Sydney

In presenting the 2015 Byera Hadley Travelling Scholarship to fifteen recipients, President of the NSW Architects Registration Board, Richard Thorp AM said; “Architecture is always about building something, so research in to better architecture means being there; seeing it in order to learn from it. The Byera Hadley Travelling Scholarships have made this possible for over 60 years. Since 1951, more than 160 architects, students and graduates have received over $3m in support to travel, research and return”.

Speaking after the presentation, Mr Thorp said “Sydney’s future is being shaped now by young minds who have travelled, studied and returned. They’ve had the chance to develop a global view – and see Sydney as a truly global city. Byera’s gift is about private support for public good. We need more of it. There should be more Byera’s.”

Successful applicants receive up to $15,000 in funding to cover flights, accommodation, and expenses that must include travel, followed by a report that shares results of the scholarship - published by the NSW Architects Registration Board at http://www.architects.nsw.gov.au/inform-public/byera-hadley-travelling-scholarships

Past recipients have included eminent architects in NSW, including Government Architects, Presidents and Councillors of the Australian Institute of Architects, and senior leaders in the sector. Past scholars can be found at: www.architects.nsw.gov.au/download/Byera%20Hadley_overview%202014.pdf

Applications for Byera Hadley Travelling Scholarships open in June each year, and close on 31 July. The scholarships are presented with assistance of the Byera Hadley Travelling Scholarship fund, administered by Perpetual.

Applications and conditions can be downloaded from www.architects.nsw.gov.au/download/BYERA%20HADLEY%20Application.pdf  

Who was Byera Hadley?

Byera Hadley was an architect and educator born in 1872. He began as a part-time teacher in architectural drawing at the Sydney Technical College - culminating in his appointment as Lecturer-in-Charge at the Department of Architecture in 1914. In 1937, Byera Hadley made provision in his will for a bequest to enable young architects who were graduates from a school in NSW to travel overseas in order to broaden their experience in architecture, with a view to advancing  architecture upon their return to Australia.

The first recipient of a Byera Hadley Travelling Scholarship was Bryce Mortlock in 1951 who received 400 pounds for travel to Europe to study ‘Monumentality and Modern Architecture’ - at a time when the tallest building in Sydney was the GPO building in Martin Place - finished more than sixty years earlier.

The alumni of scholarship holders since 1951 includes architects recognised in their profession and the broader community, and has included themes that influence the direction of architecture in Australia; including affordable housing, city planning, social trends and social innovation, emerging technologies and methodologies in design and advanced construction.

The Byera Hadley Travelling Scholarships enable winners to undertake a course of travel, study, research or other activity approved by the Board, that is seen to contribute to the advancement of architecture.

Who is the NSW Architects Registration Board?

The NSW Architects Registration Board (the Board) is a statutory authority tasked to administer the Architects Act in NSW. The purpose of the Board is to protect the consumer, inform the public, promote architecture and register architects.  Find out more about the Board’s role, and browse past Byera Hadley Travelling Scholarships at http://www.architects.nsw.gov.au/inform-public/byera-hadley-travelling-scholarships 

 

For more, contact Tim Horton, Registrar, NSW Architects Registration Board on 02 9241 0433, email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or follow us at www.twitter.com/ArchInsights