Enjoyment the key to success for new Rhodes Scholar

Scholarships

University of Adelaide graduate Benedict Coxon has been named South Australia's Rhodes Scholar for 2009.

Benedict, 22, of Rose Park, graduated with an Honours Degree of Bachelor of Laws (First Class) in August this year and plans to use his Rhodes Scholarship to study for a D.Phil (PhD) in Laws at the University of Oxford.

Currently working as an Associate to Federal Court Justice The Hon. Anthony Besanko, Benedict is the 102nd Rhodes Scholar in the University of Adelaide's history.

The former Marryatville High School student has interests in music, languages, writing and sport. At the University of Adelaide he was involved in a wide range of activities including strong representation at a number of moot competitions, as an arts writer and editor with the student magazine On Dit, and as a member of the Elder Conservatorium Chorale, the Adelaide Symphony Chorus and the Adelaide Chamber Singers.

He twice received the Dean's certificate for the highest marks awarded during his Law studies at the University.

Benedict said being named the 2009 Rhodes Scholar made him feel "a little bit of shock mixed in with a bit of pride and a lot of excitement".

"It's an absolute honour to be selected for this scholarship, and that's just reinforced by the quality of the candidates. The field is made up of people of a very high calibre," he said.

"I haven't had that many chances to get overseas until now. The extent of my overseas travel is a brief stint to England when I was about four years old, so that'll be very exciting to spend quite a significant amount of time overseas. The experience of being at Oxford itself, college life... that will be something unique. I'm looking forward to it."

Benedict said studying at the University of Adelaide gave him "so many opportunities".

"At the University I was able to get involved in musical activities, I was able to get involved in student media, student politics through the Law Students' Society - there are just so many opportunities and such a variety in terms of what's on offer. There's something for everyone and it's really not that hard to find an extra-curricular activity that you're interested in."

He said his key to managing all of his activities successfully was a simple one: "I think it's just a question of making sure that you enjoy each thing that you do. It doesn't matter how busy you are, you'll never mind because you'll always be doing something that you enjoy."

Nine Rhodes Scholars are chosen in Australia each year - one for each State, plus three for Australia at large.

The selection of the Rhodes Scholar for South Australia is made by a committee chaired by the Governor of South Australia, His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR, and comprising former Rhodes Scholars and community leaders.

The Scholars are chosen based on their academic achievements, as well as community work, leadership and sporting activities.

Story by David Ellis