Skip to main content
Spitfire Association

Spitfire Memorial Defence Fellowship

A living memorial — encouraging advanced research that aids the defence of Australia.

A vision for the future

During the Second World War, Australian servicemen and women played a vital role in every theatre of the conflict. Their efforts contributed to successful outcomes in the Battle of Britain, 1940, and overall victory in Europe and the Pacific in 1945. These Australians who played such an important role in securing peace in 1945 are among a long line of distinguished Defence Force personnel; as strong today as it was in World War II.

Recognising the need to be ever vigilant, the Spitfire Memorial Defence Fellowship was conceived by pilots of 457 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), including the late AVM Lyndon Compton AO OBE RAAF, the late FLTLT Edward (Ted) Sly DFC, the late FLTLT Peter Watson DFC, and the late Lifetime Vice President FLTLT Lysle Roberts, a key committee member right through until his passing in 2019. Their vision for the Fellowship was as an ongoing living memorial rather than a traditional granite and bronze monument.

Ted Sly worked tirelessly for the Fellowship and saw it officially launched with a formal dinner in the Officer's Mess at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), within the UNSW Canberra campus on 5 May 1998. At its launch, the Fellowship was supported by $150,000 donated from companies, individuals and the University. With many subsequent donations over the last two decades, the capital has grown to more than $1.2 million. The Fellowship provides encouragement for the development of advanced knowledge and expertise which will aid in the defence of Australia, offering recipients financial support as well as significant public recognition.

“The Spitfire Memorial Defence Fellowship is extremely important, making a unique contribution to defence-related research and development in Australia.”

Dr Nigel Greenwood · 2005 & 2007 recipient

Help us to help Australia and our Defence Force.

The Spitfire Memorial Defence Fellowship is currently administered through UNSW Australia. Spitfire Association. Several recipients have been former Australian Defence Force personnel and all are distinguished engineers or researchers recognised for their excellent research. As new security threats emerge around the world, it remains vital that we continue to support Australian researchers who are keeping our military capabilities at the cutting edge — technologies that can save lives, protecting our soldiers and civilians from harm. To help grow the Fellowship into the future, we need to continue to raise money and public awareness today.

Please contact geoff.zuber@spitfireassociation.com to donate to the Fellowship.

Featured Fellow

Biography

SMDF Reflections: WGCDR Keirin Joyce CSC

60-years of the Spitfire Association - Spitfire Memorial Defence Fellowship Reflections

Read the full story →

Are you the next Spitfire Fellow?

The Fellowship welcomes nominations from Australian citizens who are suitably qualified graduates or who have significant appropriate work experience. The application process, selection criteria and submission deadlines can be found on the application page.

Read More

More from the Fellowship archive

Honour roll

Spitfire Memorial Defence Fellowship recipients, by year. Click a row to see related articles from the Association archive.