CTC and University of Divinity recognise student achievements each year with the following prizes.
The prizes are awarded on the graduands academic transcript and on the CTC website.
For more information see the University of Divinity’s Awards and Prizes Policy.
Submit your essay
2023 Winners
| Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar | Dr Christopher Knauf | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Master’s Prize | Rev. Duc Ngoc Tran SDB | Graduate Diploma of Theology |
| The Archbishop’s Prize | Bei-En Zou | Master of Theological Studies |
| The Gerald O’Collins Prize | Leander Gonsalves MGL | Bachelor of Ministry |
| The Archbishop Coleridge Prize | Jessica Parsons | Bachelor of Theology |
| The Rod Doyle Prize | Michael Last MGL | Bachelor of Ministry |
| The Baronius Prize | Michael Last MGL | Bachelor of Ministry |
| The Guilford Young Prize | Michael Last MGL | Bachelor of Ministry |
| The Leslie Tomlinson Prize | Michael Last MGL | Bachelor of Ministry |
| The Austin Cooper Prize | Donna Mihos | Master of Education and Theology |
| The Salesian Prize | Rev. Huong (Joseph) Vu SDB | Graduate Diploma in Theology |
| The Roma Mitchell Prize | Joshua Nash OMI, and Joshua Whicker MGL | Master of Theology Graduate Diploma in Theology |
| The Erasmus Prize | Christopher Coney | Diploma of Theology |
University of Divinity Prizes
University Medal
The University Medal may be awarded by the Academic Board of the University to a student of the University who has completed a doctoral thesis of exceptional quality. Commissioned in 2016 by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Sherlock, each medal is hand-crafted by local Melbourne artist Michael Meszaros.
University of Divinity Vice-Chancellor’s Scholars
One graduand per College has been named each year as a Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar. A Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar demonstrates excellence in fulfilling one or more of the University’s Graduate Attributes. This may include academic excellence, contribution to the College community, and service to wider society.
University of Divinity Prizes, Grants, Bursaries and Scholarships
CTC students may apply for other grants and prizes, including:
- Indigenous Theology Fund: University of Divinity aims to support indigenous people, especially Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders, in theological study, research and scholarship. The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support for activities that promote the participation of Indigenous people in theology, as students, researchers and teachers.
- Janette Gray RSM Fund: the purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support for activities that promote the education and leadership of women in theology. This may include (but is not limited to) support for a woman or women to pursue theological study or communicate theological insight.
- Leatherland Prize for Liturgical Scholarship: University of Divinity awards the Leatherland Prize for outstanding contribution to liturgical scholarship by a currently enrolled student or a graduate of the University.
- Mary Ward Grant: In order to promote the dignity and role of women in church and society, the Mary Ward Grant was established in 2000 to support specialist or post-graduate study of theology, spirituality and pastoral ministry. Consideration is given to applicants completing undergraduate study. Applications close in October each year.
- Australian and New Zealand Association of Theological Schools (ANZATS) New and Emerging Scholars Scholarship: ANZATS is committed to supporting and encouraging new and emerging scholars in theology. Three ANZATS scholarships of $800 each are awarded to HDR candidates and doctoral graduates of the last two years. Applications close 13 December.
- For more information, see Vox.
CTC Prizes
Master’s Prize
The Master may award the Master’s Prize ($500) to a student at Catholic Theological College on one occasion each year. The prize is awarded to that student whom the Master, after due consultation, considers to have made a significant and valued contribution to the life of the College. In selecting the recipient account is taken not only of academic results, but also of overall participation in the life of the College. Winners of the Master’s Prize are entered on the Honour Board in the Knox Room.
Academic Prizes
CTC offers the following prizes of $500 each. These prizes are presented each year at the College Mass and Dinner, on the basis of CTC units completed in the previous year.
- The Archbishop’s Prize – for an outstanding essay in Systematic Theology
- The Archbishop Coleridge Prize – for an outstanding essay in Biblical Studies
- The Austin Cooper Prize – for an outstanding essay in Christian Spirituality (provided by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, in honour of Rev. Prof. Austin Cooper OMI AM)
- The Baronius Prize – for an outstanding essay in Church History (in honour of the Venerable Cesare Baronio, 1538–1607)
- The Erasmus Prize – for the most outstanding student in Biblical or Ecclesiastical Languages (in honour of Erasmus of Rotterdam, 1466–1536)
- The Gerald O’Collins Prize – for an outstanding undergraduate essay in Systematic Theology (provided by Em. Prof. Anne Hunt OAM FACE, in honour of Rev. Prof. Gerald O’Collins SJ)
- The Guilford Young Prize – for an outstanding essay in Liturgy (in honour of Most Rev. Guilford C. Young DD KBE, 8th Archbishop of Hobart)
- The John Maher Prize – for an outstanding essay in Philosophy (provided by the SRC, in honour of Rev. Dr John Maher OMI, head of CTC Philosophy Department)
- The Leslie Tomlinson Prize – for an outstanding essay in Moral Theology (in honour of Most Rev. Leslie R. Tomlinson DD, 7th Bishop of Sandhurst)
- The Rod Doyle Prize – for an outstanding undergraduate essay in Biblical Studies (provided by the Christian Brothers, in honour of Dr B. Rod Doyle CFC)
- The Roma Mitchell Prize – for an outstanding Research Essay/Minor Thesis (in honour of Dame Roma Mitchell AC DBE CVO QC). Research Essays and Minor Theses are not eligible for other essay prizes
- The Salesian Prize – for the most outstanding English as a Second Language student.
- Awarded to the CTC ESL student with the highest average mark across the previous year.
- Eligible students: at least four units completed in the year, born in an ESL country, lived in Australia less than 10 years, not able to satisfy UD English language entry requirements on the basis of previous studies undertaken in English.
Application Criteria for Essay Prizes:
- Must be for a CTC unit above level 1
- Must be at least 1,500 words in length
- Email your essay in Word or PDF format, with a 50-100 word abstract, to the CTC Registrar
- Prizes are only awarded if an essay of sufficient merit is submitted.
The Bob and Cath Dixon Bursary
A bursary of $500 is available annually to assist CTC students in using methodologies of the social sciences in their studies (e.g., travel for interviews, transcriptions of interviews, software purchase, conference attendance). For more information contact Associate Dean (Research).
Past Winners
University Medal
| 2023 | no medal awarded | |
| 2022 | no medal awarded | |
| 2021 | no medal awarded | |
| 2020 | Daryl Barclay | Doctor of Philosophy |
Vice-Chancellor’s Scholars
| 2023 | Dr Christopher Knauf | Doctor of Philosophy |
| 2022 | Aleksander Stirrat | Master of Theology (Coursework) |
| 2021 | Dr Christopher Morris | Doctor of Philosophy |
| 2020 | not awarded | |
| 2019 | Dr Christopher Ryan MGL | Doctor of Philosophy |
| 2018 | Melanie Edwards MGLs | Master of Theology (Coursework) |
| 2017 | Kyunghwa (Theophila) Kim | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2016 | James Baxter OP | Master of Theological Studies |
| 2015 | Matthew Boland OP | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2014 | Pablo Palet Areneda | Master of Theological Studies |
| 2013 | Aaron Lane | Master of Arts (Theology) |
| 2012 | Katherine Stone MGL | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2011 | Bartholomew (Jerome) Santamaria | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2010 | Cameron Forbes | Master of Theological Studies |
| 2009 | Gregory Bellamy | Bachelor of Theology |
Master’s Prize
| 2023 | Rev. Duc Ngoc Tran SDB | Graduate Diploma in Theology |
| 2022 | Padukkage (Ayanthi) Perera MGL | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2021 | Sebastian Condon | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2020 | Kitichai (Jack) Saisawang SDB | Graduate Diploma in Theology |
| 2019 | Jaz Ocampo | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2018 | Joshua Nash OMI | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2017 | Moira Tauiliili | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2016 | Brendan Lindsay | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2015 | Madeleine Gilbey | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2014 | Arun Michael Charles SDB | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2013 | Melanie Edwards MGL | Master of Theological Studies |
| 2012 | Andrew McCarter | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2011 | Rosemary Drum MGL | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2010 | Kevin O’Sullivan | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2009 | Gregory Bellamy | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2008 | John Duiker | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2007 | Charles Balnaves | Bachelor of Theology (Honours) |
Essay Prizes
The Archbishop’s Prize
for an outstanding essay in Systematic Theology
| 2023 | Bei-En Zou | Master of Theological Studies |
| 2022 | David Schütz | Master of Theology (Coursework) |
| 2021 | David Schütz | Master of Theology (Coursework) |
| 2020 | Sebastian Condon | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2019 | David (Reginald) Chua OP | Master of Theology (Research) |
| 2018 | David (Reginald) Chua OP | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2017 | Fiona Bradley | Graduate Diploma in Theology |
| 2016 | Matthew Boland OP | Master of Theological Studies |
| 2015 | James Baxter OP | Master of Theological Studies |
| 2014 | Thomas Azzi OP | Master of Theological Studies |
| 2013 | James Baxter OP | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2012 | Paul Nulley | Bachelor of Theology |
The Archbishop Coleridge Prize
for an outstanding essay in Biblical Studies
| 2023 | Jessica Parsons | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2022 | Joshua Whicker MGL | Graduate Diploma in Theology |
| 2021 | William Lowry | Master of Theology (Coursework) |
| 2020 | Aleksander Stirrat | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2019 | Aleksander Stirrat | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2018 | David (Reginald) Chua OP | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2017 | Kiran (Robert) Krishna OP | Master of Theology (Coursework) |
| 2016 | Anton Usher | Graduate Certificate in Theology |
| 2015 | Francis Denton | Master of Theological Studies |
| 2014 | Kiran (Robert) Krishna OP | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2013 | Marcus Goulding | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2013 | Katherine Stone MGL | Bachelor of Theology |
The Austin Cooper Prize
for an outstanding essay in Christian Spirituality
(provided by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, in honour of Rev. Prof. Austin Cooper OMI AM)
| 2023 | Donna Mihos | Master of Education and Theology |
| 2022 | Nicole Cordle | Graduate Diploma in Theology |
| 2021 | Lawrence Yuen MGL | Master of Theology (Coursework) |
| 2020 | Eva McCalister | Master of Theological Studies |
| 2019 | Robert Culhane | Master of Theological Studies |
| 2019 | Ewan MacFarlane | Master of Theological Studies |
| 2018 | Tiffany Davis | Graduate Diploma in Divinity |
| 2017 | Thomas Fetz OFM Conv. | Graduate Diploma in Theology |
| 2016 | Geoffrey Moore | Master of Theological Studies |
The Baronius Prize
for an outstanding essay in Church History
(in honour of the Venerable Cesare Baronio, 1538–1607)
| 2023 | Michael Last MGL | Bachelor of Ministry |
| 2022 | Nicole Cordle | Graduate Diploma in Theology |
| 2021 | Joshua Nash OMI | Master of Theology (Coursework) |
| 2020 | Joshua Nash OMI | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2019 | Isaac Demase SJ | Master of Philosophical Studies |
| 2018 | Rhonda Graham | Graduate Diploma in Church History |
| 2017 | Dr Ewan MacFarlane | Master of Theological Studies |
| 2016 | Rev. Matthew Boland OP | Master of Theological Studies |
| 2015 | no prize awarded | |
| 2014 | Lindsay Sant | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2013 | Matthew Johnson | Graduate Diploma in Theology |
| 2012 | Susan Kempen | Graduate Diploma in Theology |
The Erasmus Prize
for an outstanding student in Biblical or Ecclesiastical Languages
(in honour of Erasmus of Rotterdam, 1466–1536)
| 2023 | Christopher Coney | Diploma in Theology |
| 2022 | No prize awarded | |
| 2021 | Joshua McDermid | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2020 | Duyen Nguyen RSM | Master of Theology (Coursework) |
| 2019 | Alida Chase | Master of Theology (Coursework) |
| 2019 | Sebastian Condon OP | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2018 | Timothy Hurse | Graduate Diploma in Theology |
The Francis de Sales Essay Prize
for an outstanding essay in Pastoral Studies (provided by the SRC)
| 2023 | no prize awarded | |
| 2022 | no prize awarded | |
| 2021 | no prize awarded | |
| 2020 | no prize awarded | |
| 2019 | no prize awarded | |
| 2018 | John McCarthy | Graduate Certificate in Theology |
| 2017 | Kathleen Card | Master of Theological Studies |
| 2016 | Kathleen Card | Master of Arts (Theology) |
| 2015 | Teresa Rhynehart | Graduate Diploma in Theology |
The Gerald O’Collins Prize
for an outstanding undergraduate essay in Systematic Theology
(provided by Em. Prof. Anne Hunt OAM FACE, in honour of Rev. Prof. Gerald O’Collins SJ AC)
| 2023 | Leander Gonsalves MGL | Bachelor of Ministry |
| 2022 | Joshua McDermid | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2021 | no prize awarded | |
| 2020 | Kathryn Kingsley MGL | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2019 | Joshua Whicker MGL | Bachelor of Theology |
The Guilford Young Prize
for an outstanding essay in Liturgy (in honour of Most Rev Guilford C. Young DD KBE, 8th Archbishop of Hobart)
| 2023 | Michael Last MGL | Bachelor of Ministry |
| 2022 | no prize awarded | |
| 2021 | no prize awarded | |
| 2020 | no prize awarded | |
| 2019 | Padukkage Shirmila Ayanthi Perera MGL | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2018 | Elizabeth Young RSM | Master of Theology (Coursework) |
| 2017 | Fiona Bradley | Graduate Diploma in Theology |
| 2016 | no prize awarded | |
| 2015 | Maria Radanov | Graduate Certificate in Theology |
| 2014 | no prize awarded | |
| 2013 | no prize awarded | |
| 2012 | Joseph Leach | Bachelor of Theology |
The John Maher Prize
for an outstanding essay in Philosophy (provided by the SRC in honour of Rev. Dr John Maher OMI, head of CTC Philosophy Department, 2007–10) offered for 2013–14, 2019
| 2023 | No prize awarded | |
| 2022 | Nicholas Calandra | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2021 | Sebastian Condon | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2020 | Matthew Pinson SJ | Master of Philosophical Studies |
| 2019 | David (Reginald) Chua OP | Master of Theology (Research) |
| 2014 | Justin Glyn SJ | Bachelor of Theology (Honours) |
| 2013 | James Baxter OP | Bachelor of Theology |
The Leslie Tomlinson Prize
for an outstanding essay in Moral Theology (in honour of Most Rev. Leslie Tominson DD, 7th Bishop of Sandhurst)
| 2023 | Michael Last MGL | Bachelor of Ministry |
| 2022 | Biyanwilage (Kanishka) Perera | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2021 | Aleksander Stirrat | Master of Theological Studies |
| 2020 | no prize awarded | |
| 2019 | Ewan MacFarlane | Master of Theological Studies |
The Rod Doyle Prize
for an outstanding undergraduate essay in Biblical Studies
(provided by the Christian Brothers, in honour of Dr B. Rod Doyle CFC)
| 2023 | Michael Last MGL | Bachelor of Ministry |
| 2022 | Biyanwilage (Kanishka) Perera | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2021 | Michael Last MGL | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2020 | Sebastian Condon | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2019 | Sebastian Condon | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2018 | no prize awarded | |
| 2017 | David (Reginald) Chua OP | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2016 | Fiona Bradley | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2015 | Michael Buck | Bachelor of Theology |
The Roma Mitchell Prize
for an outstanding research essay (in honour of Dame Roma Mitchell AC DBE CVO QC)
| 2023 | Joshua Nash OMI, and Joshua Whicker MGL | Master of Theology Graduate Diploma in Theology |
| 2022 | Timothy Jarick | Graduate Certificate in Research Methodology |
| 2021 | no prize awarded | |
| 2020 | Geralyn McCarthy | Master of Theological Studies |
| 2019 | Helen Nichol | Master of Theological Studies |
| 2018 | Jeanette Sullivan | Graduate Certificate in Research Methodologies |
The Salesian Prize
for the most outstanding English as a Second Language student
| 2023 | Rev. Hoang (Joseph) Vu SDB | Graduate Diploma in Theology |
| 2022 | Duc Ngoc Tran SDB | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2021 | Huy Xuan Nguyen | Master of Theology (Coursework) Advanced Diploma in Theology and Ministry |
| 2020 | Huy Xuan Nguyen | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2019 | Anusit Chanphen SDB | Graduate Diploma in Theology |
| 2018 | Anusit Chanphen SDB | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2018 | Colobpatabadige (Shehan) Fernando MGL | Bachelor of Theology |
Past Prizes
The Thomas Shortall Prize
for an outstanding essay in Moral Theology (in honour of Rev. Thomas Shortall OMI, head of the CTC Moral Theology Department, 1975-88)
| 2017 | David (Reginald) Chua OP | Bachelor of Theology |
| 2016 | Paul Forster | Master of Arts (Theology) |
| 2015 | Francis Denton | Master of Theological Studies |
| 2014 | Johanna (Jo) Hart | Master of Arts (Theology) |
| 2013 | Aaron Lane | Master of Arts (Theology) |
| 2012 | Aaron Lane | Master of Arts (Theology) |