Four academic scholarships have been awarded by the Shackleton Scholarship Fund (SSF) for 2013, covering scientific and historical subjects.

Earlier this year the Shackleton Scholarship Fund awarded one-off funding of gbp500 per person to academics Klaus Dodds and Alasdair Pinkerton to enable them to cover the Referendum held in March 2013 which gave Falkland Islands the oppportunity to vote on whether to keep the status quo of being a British Overseas Territory or not.   The overwhelming 98.8% yes response and the high turn out was testament to the strength of feeling of the Islanders in determining our own future.   The logistics of the Referendum were impressively organised and were praised by the team of international observers.  

Dodds' and Pinkerton's report can be accessed from the List of Scholars on this website.

Dr Alastair Baylis, formerly of Falklands Conservation, was awarded an Academic Scholarship of £2000 in 2012.  An initial report on his research is available for viewing on the Scholars List on this website, but here are a few photos illustrating this research.   Many thanks to Jackie Bennett and Rachael Orben for the photos.

Folk singer and songwriter Marc Block was awarded a Shackleton Scholarship Fund Quality of Life Award in 2012 and spent around 5 weeks in the Falklands in early 2013 sharing his music.   Marc takes on the story ...

"My five weeks in the Falkland Islands were filled with performances and encounters with wonderfully welcoming and friendly people. Most performances were planned, but I had the pleasure of doing a number of impromptu shows, including busking at the jetty on a cruise ship day and reportedly being the first ever busker on the Islands."

 The Committee of the Shackleton Scholarship Fund announce that an exceptional or ‘flagship’ scholarship worth £10,000 will be awarded to mark the centenary of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance expedition, which set out in August 1914.

The scholarship will be open to individual scholars or teams of research workers from any country in the world who propose to undertake research at a post-graduate level, in the natural or social sciences of particular relevance to the countries of the South Atlantic in particular the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the British Antarctic Territories.

 2014 marks the centenary of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance Expedition setting out for Antarctica. To mark the anniversary, the Shackleton Scholarship Fund is offering a “flagship” scholarship worth £10,000 (currently equivalent to US$15,000) for research in the natural or social sciences of relevance to the countries of the South Atlantic, in particular the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the British Antarctic Territories.

 The Falklands Archery Association welcomed Tony Drabble whose flight was kindly sponsored by The Shackleton Scholarship Fund arrived in the Islands towards the end of October 2012. Tony was accompanied by Steve Yates from Guernsey who took up the opportunity to visit the Islands for a week and assisted with coaching and equipment checks and adjustments.

The ladies of Stanley Netball Club (athough the Club is open to men as well) recently benefitted from some professional coaching ...   ffrm

 The American Museum of Natural History’s exhibition, known as “Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition” has been set up in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin - very fitting since this was the port from which Sir Ernest left as a young boy.  The exhibition tells a survival story like no other: Irish-born explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic expedition of 1914-1917. Today it’s rightly seen as perhaps the most remarkable in exploration history: a tale of extraordinary leadership—of the triumph of the human heart and spirit when faced with the most terrible odds. But it was years before its true significance emerged.

Relive this true life story at the Shackleton Endurance Exhibition in Dún Laoghaire. On display are over 150 photographs taken by the Expedition photographer Frank Hurley, a full size exact replica of the James Caird; the lifeboat that proved so critical to the rescue, and much, much more. After visiting the exhibition, you’ll understand that it truly was a ‘Triumph against all odds’.  Read more about the exhibition including the opening hours at www.shackletonexhibition.com.

It was a deservedly proud Patrick Watts MBE who presented his book for launch at a reception at Government House on Thursday 15 November.   The culmination of over 8 years work this is an indepth look at the history and results of the Stanley Sports Association annaul race meeting - and a timely release as the Association celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.    With over 170 pages and approximately 50 photographs this is a must for any local racing enthusiast.   In an amusing speech Mr Watts paid homage to some local heroes in the racing arena (both human and equine), as well as thanking the many people who had contributed information, anecdotes and photographs.  He also thanked the sponsors which included the Shackleton Scholarship Fund - Mr Watts was awarded an Academic Scholar worth £2000 in 2012 (the first Falkland Islander to do so).   The hardback book is available in local outlets at a cost of £25 and is proving a popular Christmas gift.