The Public Education Foundation's Acacia Program provides financial assistance, mentoring and career information opportunities to high potential students, in need, attending public schools in particular regions throughout Australia. The Acacia Program was designed to assist students who may otherwise not have the opportunity to reach their full potential. The scholarship has been established to enable alumni of Australian public schools to give back to their school region, and to public education more broadly, through scholarships, mentoring and advocacy. The scholarships aim to highlight to students the diversity of careers and opportunities available to them through the Australians who sponsor the award and have access to this network.
The Late Murray Khouri Scholarship supports musically inclined students attending the Conservatorium High School in Sydney, NSW. The scholarship was established by Lyndall Foldvary-Khouri in honour of her late husband, Murray Khouri – an international clarinet virtuoso, conductor, recording producer and educator whose lifelong passion for music inspired generations of young performers.
Murray Khouri was born in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1941 to Lebanese parents. After studying at the Royal College of Music in London, he made his solo debut at Wigmore Hall and went on to perform with renowned ensembles including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. He later formed the Australian Contemporary Music Ensemble and founded the Bowral Autumn Music Festival, creating vital opportunities for musicians to collaborate and perform. His distinguished career as a performer, educator and advocate for contemporary music continues to shape Australia’s cultural landscape. This scholarship continues Murray’s legacy of nurturing musical excellence and ensuring that public school students have the opportunity to pursue their musical aspirations.
Scholarship Value
The scholarship provides $1,000 per year for up to three years (Years 10 to 12) – a total value of $3,000 – assisting with the costs of musical education and related learning expenses, including:
- Musical instrument purchase or maintenance
- Tuition or lesson fees
- Sheet music and textbooks
- Performance attire and equipment
- Music-related excursions, camps or workshops
- Study-related technology or software
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Attend the Conservatorium High School (Sydney, NSW)
- Be enrolled in Years 9 – 11 in the year of application
- Be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or hold an appropriate qualified visa
- Demonstrate an interest in and commitment to music – either currently learning an instrument or commencing musical studies
- Applications are open to students of all genders and cultural backgrounds who show potential, dedication, and a passion for developing their musical talents
Selection Criteria
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Musical promise, commitment, and enthusiasm for learning
- A positive attitude towards study and school participation
- Evidence of regular attendance and engagement in music or performing arts activities
- How the scholarship will support their ongoing musical growth and education
Selection Process
A selection panel including representatives of the Public Education Foundation, the school, and independent experts will assess all eligible applications against the selection criteria. The successful recipient will be notified in December 2025 for commencement in 2026.
If a student leaves public high school before completion of the scholarship period, the scholarship will lapse. Any unspent monies at the end of the scholarship period must be refunded to the Public Education Foundation’s scholarships fund.
Before applying for this scholarship, please ensure you read the PEF Scholarship Terms and Conditions.
How to Apply
To apply for the Acacia Program, students can access the link to the online portal via PEF’s website. You will need to sign up for a PEF-Apply account to access the form. Note: All sections of the application, including the Principal's Supporting Statement must be completed before the application can be submitted.
Prior to starting, you should compile the following information ready to submit your application:
- Personal details including:
- full name
- gender
- date of birth
- phone number
- address
- email (Please ensure you use an email account you regularly access.)
- Residence status (you must provide a copy of your citizenship certificate or residency visa)
- When you came to Australia (if applicable)
- Number of years in formal education before coming to Australia (if applicable)
- Parent/guardian details (at least one but up to two)
- name
- phone number
- relationship to student
- email address
- School details:
- name of school
- address
- principal name
- School point of contact – the person at the school who you would like correspondence sent to – name, phone number and email
- Basic information about you and your family:
- whether you are Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or Pacific or South Sea Islander
- your mob/family/traditional owner/language group
- if you are from a non-English-speaking background
- your country of original and that of your parents
- which languages you speak and are spoken at home
- how many adults live on your home
- how many of those adults are working
- who is the primary caregiver at home
- how many other school-aged (or younger) children live in your house
- highest education qualification of your immediate family
- if you have a diagnosed disability or learning difficulty
- whether you have been in out-of-home care
- socio-economic background
- how you found out about the scholarship
- A personal statement outlining why you are a suitable candidate for this scholarship and how you meet each of the selection criteria (maximum 400 words)
- A brief outline of your plans after you have completed your HSC (maximum 150 words)
- Briefly outline how you feel you meet the criteria in relation to financial need/disadvantage (maximum 150 words)
- A brief statement on how the scholarship funds would be used (maximum 150 words)
- A copy of all pages of your most recent school report ready to upload
- A personal reference from someone who knows you. It could be a teacher/counsellor/wellbeing officer from your school (PDF or Word format, maximum 400 words) Please advise your referee that our selection panels are not in a position to contact them for additional information. The reference should provide all information they feel is relevant.
- A supporting statement from your Principal which addresses the selection criteria (the applicant must initiate a request via the online application to the Principal. This will result in an email being sent to the Principal asking them to complete a statement of support online). This statement must be completed by your Principal before the application can be submitted.
Note for Principals
Please be aware that your statement is a critical component of the application form and your feedback is given considerable weight in the process of panel deliberations. The panels are looking for feedback that goes well beyond simple confirmation that the student is enrolled in your school. Generic responses, or copy/paste responses from the applicant’s referees’ statements will disadvantage the applicant.
Submitting your Application
Once you have finalised your application and all elements are complete (including references and supporting statements as required) you can submit it for review.
Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm AEDT on Friday, 28 November 2025.
For further information call the Public Education Foundation on 02 7814 2806 or email us at scholarships@publiceducationfoundation.org.au.
Acacia Program - The Late Murray Khouri Scholarship
The Public Education Foundation's Acacia Program provides financial assistance, mentoring and career information opportunities to high potential students, in need, attending public schools in particular regions throughout Australia. The Acacia Program was designed to assist students who may otherwise not have the opportunity to reach their full potential. The scholarship has been established to enable alumni of Australian public schools to give back to their school region, and to public education more broadly, through scholarships, mentoring and advocacy. The scholarships aim to highlight to students the diversity of careers and opportunities available to them through the Australians who sponsor the award and have access to this network.
The Late Murray Khouri Scholarship supports musically inclined students attending the Conservatorium High School in Sydney, NSW. The scholarship was established by Lyndall Foldvary-Khouri in honour of her late husband, Murray Khouri – an international clarinet virtuoso, conductor, recording producer and educator whose lifelong passion for music inspired generations of young performers.
Murray Khouri was born in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1941 to Lebanese parents. After studying at the Royal College of Music in London, he made his solo debut at Wigmore Hall and went on to perform with renowned ensembles including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. He later formed the Australian Contemporary Music Ensemble and founded the Bowral Autumn Music Festival, creating vital opportunities for musicians to collaborate and perform. His distinguished career as a performer, educator and advocate for contemporary music continues to shape Australia’s cultural landscape. This scholarship continues Murray’s legacy of nurturing musical excellence and ensuring that public school students have the opportunity to pursue their musical aspirations.
Scholarship Value
The scholarship provides $1,000 per year for up to three years (Years 10 to 12) – a total value of $3,000 – assisting with the costs of musical education and related learning expenses, including:
- Musical instrument purchase or maintenance
- Tuition or lesson fees
- Sheet music and textbooks
- Performance attire and equipment
- Music-related excursions, camps or workshops
- Study-related technology or software
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Attend the Conservatorium High School (Sydney, NSW)
- Be enrolled in Years 9 – 11 in the year of application
- Be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or hold an appropriate qualified visa
- Demonstrate an interest in and commitment to music – either currently learning an instrument or commencing musical studies
- Applications are open to students of all genders and cultural backgrounds who show potential, dedication, and a passion for developing their musical talents
Selection Criteria
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Musical promise, commitment, and enthusiasm for learning
- A positive attitude towards study and school participation
- Evidence of regular attendance and engagement in music or performing arts activities
- How the scholarship will support their ongoing musical growth and education
Selection Process
A selection panel including representatives of the Public Education Foundation, the school, and independent experts will assess all eligible applications against the selection criteria. The successful recipient will be notified in December 2025 for commencement in 2026.
If a student leaves public high school before completion of the scholarship period, the scholarship will lapse. Any unspent monies at the end of the scholarship period must be refunded to the Public Education Foundation’s scholarships fund.
Before applying for this scholarship, please ensure you read the PEF Scholarship Terms and Conditions.
How to Apply
To apply for the Acacia Program, students can access the link to the online portal via PEF’s website. You will need to sign up for a PEF-Apply account to access the form. Note: All sections of the application, including the Principal's Supporting Statement must be completed before the application can be submitted.
Prior to starting, you should compile the following information ready to submit your application:
- Personal details including:
- full name
- gender
- date of birth
- phone number
- address
- email (Please ensure you use an email account you regularly access.)
- Residence status (you must provide a copy of your citizenship certificate or residency visa)
- When you came to Australia (if applicable)
- Number of years in formal education before coming to Australia (if applicable)
- Parent/guardian details (at least one but up to two)
- name
- phone number
- relationship to student
- email address
- School details:
- name of school
- address
- principal name
- School point of contact – the person at the school who you would like correspondence sent to – name, phone number and email
- Basic information about you and your family:
- whether you are Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or Pacific or South Sea Islander
- your mob/family/traditional owner/language group
- if you are from a non-English-speaking background
- your country of original and that of your parents
- which languages you speak and are spoken at home
- how many adults live on your home
- how many of those adults are working
- who is the primary caregiver at home
- how many other school-aged (or younger) children live in your house
- highest education qualification of your immediate family
- if you have a diagnosed disability or learning difficulty
- whether you have been in out-of-home care
- socio-economic background
- how you found out about the scholarship
- A personal statement outlining why you are a suitable candidate for this scholarship and how you meet each of the selection criteria (maximum 400 words)
- A brief outline of your plans after you have completed your HSC (maximum 150 words)
- Briefly outline how you feel you meet the criteria in relation to financial need/disadvantage (maximum 150 words)
- A brief statement on how the scholarship funds would be used (maximum 150 words)
- A copy of all pages of your most recent school report ready to upload
- A personal reference from someone who knows you. It could be a teacher/counsellor/wellbeing officer from your school (PDF or Word format, maximum 400 words) Please advise your referee that our selection panels are not in a position to contact them for additional information. The reference should provide all information they feel is relevant.
- A supporting statement from your Principal which addresses the selection criteria (the applicant must initiate a request via the online application to the Principal. This will result in an email being sent to the Principal asking them to complete a statement of support online). This statement must be completed by your Principal before the application can be submitted.
Note for Principals
Please be aware that your statement is a critical component of the application form and your feedback is given considerable weight in the process of panel deliberations. The panels are looking for feedback that goes well beyond simple confirmation that the student is enrolled in your school. Generic responses, or copy/paste responses from the applicant’s referees’ statements will disadvantage the applicant.
Submitting your Application
Once you have finalised your application and all elements are complete (including references and supporting statements as required) you can submit it for review.
Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm AEDT on Friday, 28 November 2025.
For further information call the Public Education Foundation on 02 7814 2806 or email us at scholarships@publiceducationfoundation.org.au.