Sir Rupert Hamer Fellowship

Reprieve Australia has established the Sir Rupert Hamer Fellowship to provide financial support to allow experienced volunteers to undertake work fighting for the rights of those facing execution. It does this by contributing to the cost of the volunteer's airfares, accommodation or living expenses.

You are eligible to apply for support if you have completed, or are currently undertaking, a Reprieve volunteer placement of at least 3 months in the US, and intend to return for a second or subsequent placement.

Application Closing Dates

Applications close on 30 October 2010.

Eligibility Requirements and Rules

Please see here.

Support the Fight

The Fund can't survive without your help. If you would like to support this life-saving work, please donate by either:

• Credit Card or Cheque: simply complete the form available from our website (under 'Make a Donation') and return it to the address on the form (please mark the form 'Fellowship Fund'); or
• Bank Transfer: you can transfer your donation directly into our account (BSB: 033340; Acc: 203825; Name: ReprieveAustralia Inc; Bank: Westpac). Please use your full name as the reference so we can track your donation.

 

About Sir Rupert Hamer (1916–2004)

With the support of his family, the Fund is named after one of Victoria's longest serving Premiers, Sir Rupert Hamer. Sir Rupert served in the Australian Army during the Second World War, and in North Africa became one of the besieged 'Rats of Tobruk'. After the war, he practised law in his family firm and began his long and active membership of the Liberal Party. Sir Rupert became Premier of Victoria upon Henry Bolte's retirement. Bolte had been a notorious supporter of capital punishment, but while Premier, Hamer successfully introduced a bill to abolish hanging. Unusually for a Premier, he introduced the bill as a private member, allowing MPs a conscience vote. The Fellowship recognises Hamer's significant contribution to the abolition of the death penalty in Australia. Sir Rupert resigned as Premier in 1981.