Scholarship to honour vegemite inventor

A NEW scholarship offered at Federation University is aiming to support young people to follow in the footsteps of the inventor of Vegemite, Cyril Callister.

The scholarship of $1000 will go towards a student from Western Victoria who is enrolled in an undergraduate science program at Fed Uni.

Mr Callister was a scientist and the scholarship is being funded by the foundation named in his honour.

It was established in 2019 and works to preserve the legacy of the man who was born at Chute, just north of Beaufort, as well sharing his contributions to science.

Jamie Callister, grandson of Cyril Callister and president of the Cyril Callister Foundation, said it was great to be able to provide support to students at Federation University.

“The Cyril Callister Foundation Scholarship is a fitting legacy that honours my grandfather’s achievements in creating the Aussie icon Vegemite,” he said.

“In 1949 he donated to Federation University, then the Ballarat School of Mines, with a promise to visit.

“However, he never got the opportunity as he passed away later that year.

“This scholarship is therefore entirely appropriate, and he would be extremely honoured to play a part in inspiring young scientists to discover and follow their own path in the field of science.”

Ms Callister completed a bachelor of science at the School of Mines in 1914 as well as a masters of science in 1917.

He later went on to complete a PhD at the University of Melbourne.

The foundation also operates the Cyril Callister Museum at Beaufort where visitors can learn about Mr Callister and celebrate his achievements.