JCU Prizes Browse all prizes Merv Short OAM, ED Prize for STEM
Merv Short OAM, ED Prize for STEM
- Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in Marine Science
- Courses
- Future Students
- Current Students
- Research and Teaching
- Partners and Community
- About JCU
- Reputation and Experience
- Celebrating 50 Years
- Academy
- Anthropological Laboratory for Tropical Audiovisual Research (ALTAR)
- Anton Breinl Research Centre
- Agriculture Technology and Adoption Centre (AgTAC)
- Living on Campus
- How to apply
- Advanced Analytical Centre
- Alumni
- AMHHEC
- JCU Aquaculture Solutions
- AusAsian Mental Health Research Group
- ARCSTA
- Area 61
- Association of Australian University Secretaries
- Australian Lions Stinger Research
- Australian Tropical Herbarium
- Australian Quantum & Classical Transport Physics Group
- Boating and Diving
- JCU-CSIRO Partnership
- Employability Edge
- Career Ready Plan
- Careers at JCU
- Careers and Employability
- Chancellery
- Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology
- CITBA
- CMT
- CASE
- College of Business, Law and Governance
- College of Healthcare Sciences
- College of Medicine and Dentistry
- College of Science and Engineering
- CPHMVS
- Centre for Disaster Solutions
- CSTFA
- Cyber Security Hub
- Cyclone Testing Station
- The Centre for Disaster Studies
- Daintree Rainforest Observatory
- Discover Nature at JCU
- Research Division
- Services and Resources Division
- Education Division
- Elite Athletes
- eResearch
- Environmental Research Complex [ERC]
- Estate
- Fletcherview
- Foundation for Australian Literary Studies
- Gender Equity Action and Research
- General Practice and Rural Medicine
- JC 'U' Orientation
- Give to JCU
- Governance
- Information for JCU Cairns Graduates
- Art of Academic Writing
- Art of Academic Editing
- Graduate Research School
- Graduation
- Indigenous Education and Research Centre
- Indigenous Engagement
- Indigenous Legal Needs Project
- Inherent Requirements
- IsoTropics Geochemistry Lab
- IT Services
- International Schools
- International Students
- Research and Innovation Services
- JCU Eduquarium
- JCU Events
- JCU Global Experience
- JCU Ideas Lab
- JCU Job Ready
- JCU Motorsports
- JCU Prizes
- JCU Sport
- JCU Turtle Health Research
- Language and Culture Research Centre
- CEE
- LearnJCU
- Library
- Mabo Decision: 30 years on
- MARF
- Marine Geophysics Laboratory
- New students
- Off-Campus Students
- Office of the Vice Chancellor and President
- Virtual Open Day
- Orpheus
- Outstanding Alumni
- Parents and Partners
- Pathways to university
- Planning for your future
- Placements
- Policy
- PAHL
- Publications
- Professional Experience Placement
- Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease
- Rapid Assessment Unit
- RDIM
- Researcher Development Portal
- Safety and Wellbeing
- Scholarships
- Contextual Science for Tropical Coastal Ecosystems
- Staff
- State of the Tropics
- Strategic Procurement
- Student Equity and Wellbeing
- Student profiles
- SWIRLnet
- TARL
- TESS
- TREAD
- TropEco for Staff and Students
- TQ Maths Hub
- TUDLab
- Unicare Centre and Unicampus Kids
- UAV
- VAVS Home
- Work Health and Safety
- WHOCC for Vector-borne & NTDs
- Media
- Copyright and Terms of Use
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine
- Clinical Psychedelic Research Lab
History of the prize
The Rotary Club of Port of Townsville proudly remembers Past President and District Governor, Mervyn Albert Short with this memorial prize. Merv passed away peacefully at 90 years young on 3rd September 2020 and is widely remembered for his friendly smile, sense of humour and ability to engage with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Merv was admitted to the Rotary Club of Port of Townsville on 1st December 1975 and quickly grasped the essence of Rotary’s motto of “Service above Self”. Holding many and varied positions within the Club during his 45-year association. Merv was a strong supporter of young community leaders. He demonstrated this through his involvement with Rotaract, the global organisation that empowers students and young professionals to create positive and lasting change in themselves, their local community and around the world.
Merv grew up in Townsville where he and his brother opened a small general store opposite the original Townsville Hospital in North Ward. The store flourished and went on to become a highly successful early ‘mini-mart’. Throughout his working life Merv was an enthusiastic supporter of the local community, including as a instrumental part of the establishment of the Cowboys Rugby League franchise.
For his service to Rotary and on the North Queensland Defence Reserves Support Committee, Merv was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1987, and in 2003 he was further recognised with a Chief of Defence Force Commendation for long and energetic service on that committee.
Merv’s devotion to the ideals of Rotary and their application to the broader North Queensland community remained with him for life. His colourful, supportive and friendly personality, together with keen encouragement and mentorship are profoundly missed by the community.
Mervyn Albert Short OAM, ED is survived by his wonderfully supportive wife Wendy, their daughter Megan and her children.
Donor
Rotary Club of Port of Townsville
Prize Information
Awarded to the student from the College of Science and Engineering who is enrolled full-time and has obtained the highest GPA in their first year of study.
$500
2022 - Jakson James Gardnir
2021 - Ayla Santandrea Gunawan