The Peter Young
scholarship
1. Background
Peter Young O.A.M. (27.10.24 to 5.5.2008) was born to parents who were members of Petersham
Baptist Church (PBC), and it was this Christian gathering that Peter attended and served throughout
his life.
Peter was among the Deacons who decided in 1954 to purchase the property at 40 Hunter Street,
which on 20 November of that year opened as the Morton House Hostel for young men. In
subsequent years, Peter helped to establish the much larger building which became known as Flo
Harris Lodge (FHL), which has for decades served as a hostel for the accommodation and
spiritual nurture of young men and women. In all, Peter Young’s involvement with, and support of,
Flo Harris Lodge lasted for some 50 years.
For many years, Peter indicated his intention to leave some of his estate to FHL to support young
people desiring to undertake theological study and/or equip themselves for ministry. When he died
in 2008, he left a generous proportion of his estate for this purpose. Accordingly, the Peter Young
Trust has been set up to provide scholarships to former FHL residents desiring to undertake
theological study or ministry training so they might better proclaim the good news about Jesus
Christ. The Trust awards Peter Young Scholarships (Scholarships) under the administration of the Flo
Harris Lodge Committee (the Committee).
2. Rules Governing the Awarding of Scholarships
Peter Young’s Will, and policies adopted by the Committee in line with that Will, set out several
requirements for scholarships to be awarded.
Purpose of the Scholarship
To be eligible for a Peter Young Scholarship, an applicant must plan to use the scholarship for either
'theological education' or 'ministry training'.
Theological education scholarships are for applicants undertaking theological study at an evangelical
theological college, which (in Sydney) may include:
- Morling College (Baptist)
- Moore Theological College (Anglican)
- Christ College (Presbyterian)
- Sydney Missionary and Bible College (SMBC)
Ministry training scholarships are for those undertaking full-time or part-time traineeships in
Gospel ministry - for example, those offered by Ministry Training Strategy (MTS), the
Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (AFES), and the Crusader Union of Australia.
Other Requirements
As well as the above, to be eligible for a scholarship, all applicants must also meet each of the
following requirements:
- be a former resident of Flo Harris Lodge;
- specify that they are applying for either a theological scholarship or a ministry training
scholarship;
- demonstrate to the Committee that the proposed study or training is directed not merely
toward their own education or some general purpose of social usefulness, but toward
serving the Lord Jesus Christ in the work of the Gospel; and
- affirm their personal belief in, and commitment to, the doctrinal statement (see below).
In considering a scholarship application, the Will requires the Selection Committee to take into
account:
- the applicant’s suitability for academic study (where a theological scholarship is being
sought); and
- their character, love for the Lord Jesus and others, and demonstrated commitment to the
work of communicating the Gospel.
These are to be discerned from interviews, referees, and what is known of the applicant’s
involvement in their local church or other ministries.
Structure of Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded annually, for a duration of one year. Generally, an applicant will only be
awarded a scholarship twice (ie, for a total of two years) in relation to a course of study or
traineeship, with renewals of the scholarship to take into account results or evaluations received
during the study/traineeship to date.
Scholarships will typically be awarded up to a maximum amount of $10,000 AUD/year; not all
scholarships will be awarded at this maximum amount.
Generally, the Committee awards one Scholarship each year (subject to suitability of applicants). The
Committee reserves the right not to award any Scholarship in a given year.
3. Application Process
Applications must be in writing, and should address:
a. An overview of the applicant’s ministry and church experience;
b. A copy of their Curriculum Vitae, including any relevant academic records;
c. An outline of the structure of the study or training they intend to undertake;
d. An explanation of their reason for undertaking this study or training;
e. A description of their long-term ministry hopes (as far as these are known);
f. The names and contact details of three (3) independent referees (one of whom should be
within the applicant’s current church); and
g. A signed copy of the doctrinal statement (see below).
Applications will be assessed by the Committee. Applications, along with supporting documentation, can be submitted using the form below. Applications for 2027 close on 15 December 2026.
Doctrinal Statement
1. The divine inspiration and infallibility of Holy Scripture, as originally given, and its supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
2. The unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in the Godhead.
3. The universal sinfulness and guilt of human nature since the Fall, rendering each person subject to God’s wrath and condemnation.
4. The conception of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, and birth by the virgin Mary.
5. Redemption from the guilt, penalty and power of sin only through the sacrificial death (as our Representative and Substitute) of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son of God.
6. The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
7. The necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit to make the death of Christ effective to the individual sinner by granting him or her new birth, repentance toward God, and faith in Jesus Christ.
8. The indwelling and ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the believer.
9. The personal return of the Lord Jesus.