Celebrating Excellence in Education: The Hardie Fellowship Legacy

It is with great pride that TPT Wealth congratulates the new recipients of the Hardie Fellowship. This year, the prestigious fellowship has been awarded to six exceptional educators from the Department for Education, Children and Young People.

• Marya Bell, Advanced Skills Teacher, Sheffield School;
• Anita Blom, Assistant Principal, Howrah Primary School;
• Rosalie Hayek, Inclusive Practice Teacher, Kingston High School;
• Ruby Lyons-Reid, Senior Curriculum Leader, Aboriginal Education Services; and
• Fiona Hancock, Manager, Inclusive Learning and
• Grant Maynard, Inclusive Practice Team Lead, Inclusive Learning

The Hardie Fellowships are awarded to exceptional Tasmanian educators to fund attending specialist education programs in the United States.

The Hardie Fellowships are funded from the estate of Professor Charles Dunn Hardie, who was Dean of Education at the University of Tasmania for 30 years.

In 1946, Professor Hardie assumed the role of Tasmania's first Dean of Education, a position he held until 1976. During this tenure, he educated and inspired thousands of Tasmanians in mathematics, philosophy, and the art of teaching. His impact was felt far beyond the walls of academia, as he played a pivotal role in shaping the future of education in Tasmania.

Professor Hardie's transformative experience as a visiting scholar at the College of Education, University of Illinois, in 1968 sowed the seeds for the Hardie Trusts. This experience left an indelible mark on him, inspiring his vision for global education excellence. In 2002, Professor Hardie left behind a generous legacy, entrusting TPT Wealth (then known as Tasmanian Perpetual Trustees) with the responsibility of safeguarding his vision. In accordance with his Will, the Hardie Fellowship Trust was established, and TPT Wealth has faithfully followed the Professor's wishes for over two decades.

At TPT Wealth we take our responsibility of carrying out a person's wishes under their Will and safeguarding their legacy with the utmost seriousness, a service we have offered the Tasmanian community for more than 136 years.

Speaking at the announcement of the fellowships, Matt Pearson, General Manager of TPT Wealth said the business was honoured to continue the stewardship of Professor Hardie's legacy.

“We look forward to seeing the impact this year’s recipients will have on Tasmania’s education system. The opportunity to study best practice education in the United States is a wonderful opportunity for the recipients and for Tasmanian schools.”

Tasmanian Minister for Education, Children and Young People, Roger Jaensch paid tribute to the late Professor Hardie for his significant contribution to education in Tasmania and for establishing this valuable program and acknowledged the role of the trustee.

“I would also like to acknowledge the role of TPT Wealth in administering the Hardie Fellowship.”

“The Department has worked with TPT Wealth for two decades to provide immensely valuable professional development and study opportunities for so many innovators in our teaching community.”