memorials
A tribute to Robert Hayes
Associate Professor Robert Hayes was a man renowned for his commitment to social justice and equality and this was ever-present in the way he taught his students in the School of Law at the University of Western Sydney up until his sudden passing in late 2011. Robert’s contributions to legal education and more broadly the legal profession, are well recognised by his colleagues and his students. His lectures were popular for their humour and directness while Professor Hayes challenged students to think seriously about how the harsh realities of everyday life conflicted with the rights of individuals. To honour his spirit and commitment to providing fairness and justice for the most vulnerable, misunderstood and forgotten members of our society, Robert’s wife Elayne Hayes engaged the School of Law to firstly establish a prize and then a scholarship in his honour. In 2012, The Robert Hayes Memorial Prize, donated by Elayne Hayes was first awarded, acknowledging the most outstanding student achievement in Torts Law – one of Professor Hayes great passions. The inaugural recipient of the prize was Anastasia Dalitz, a second year student enrolled in the Bachelor of Law program. At the time the prize was awarded, Anastasia was on a voluntary placement in Western Australia and working with Indigenous Australians – evidence that this prize had delivered on Elayne’s original intention.
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‘The establishment of the Robert Hayes Memorial Scholarship Fund is a very fitting tribute to one of the most distinguished and popular legal academics and law teachers of our time. Robert was fiercely committed to providing opportunities in the law to talented students for whom those opportunities may not be readily available. This scholarship will continue Robert’s commitment to those students.’ Judge Mark Marien SC Overwhelmed by the messages of support that she received after Robert’s passing Elayne decided to embark on establishing an endowed scholarship, funded by those who had worked, encountered or been inspired by Robert’s passion for the law. Supported by UWS, the Robert Hayes Memorial Scholarship Appeal began. Donations flooded in from legal professionals, Robert’s former students and colleagues in the School. On November 9 a cocktail function was hosted by Elayne at the Alexander Dawson Room in Sydney bringing together prominent members of the legal sector and wider community. The event raised over $20,000 which will be directed towards
establishing the Robert Hayes Memorial Scholarship to be first awarded in 2013. ‘I am deeply moved by all those who have contributed to this scholarship in Robert’s memory. He had a real passion for his teaching and I hope that this scholarship will serve to inspire the next generation of students in the same way Robert did as a lecturer.’ says Elayne Hayes. In 2012 there were close to 25 active memorial funds supported by friends, family and colleagues of past students, staff and friends of UWS. The passing of a loved one, student, staff member or friend of the university can be an emotional and reflective time for friends and family of the deceased. Establishing a named memorial fund provides an opportunity to honour and celebrate the life, intellectual pursuits and interests of the deceased, and if endowed in perpetuity, can provide a lasting memorial.