The Fund
In 1986 Lady (Anita) Smith, widow of Sir Keith Smith, bequeathed her entire estate to the establishment of the Sir Ross & Sir Keith Smith Fund and directed that the income of the Fund be applied in perpetuity for "advancement in the State of South Australia of the science of aeronautics and of education therein".
Lady Smith recognised the need to stimulate local knowledge and innovation in aerospace technology. Her vision encompassed "each and every aspect of all means of human conveyance or transportation through the air and inner and outer space".
Australian Executor Trustees is the Trustee of the Fund.
A specialist Advisory Committee provides continuing guidance to the Trustee to ensure that the objectives of the Fund are being achieved.
The Trustee undertakes exclusive or joint funding of :-
- Appropriate education or research programmes in approved tertiary institutions
- Scholarships or fellowships for approved research
- Sponsorship funds for activities which promote aerospace technology and education
To date, grants, scholarships and sponsorships in excess of $10 million have been made for :-
- Active control of aircraft interior noise
- Imaging systems for aerospace vehicles
- Atmospheric airborne research
- Aeronautical computational fluid dynamics
- Air traffic surveillance and maintenance
- Optimisation of air traffic flows for airports and air traffic regulators
- Aviation systems safety research
- Reconfigurable computing for uninhabited aircraft applications
- Research and development of unmanned vehicles for mining exploration
- Research and development of a seaplane
- Postgraduate scholarships to Cranfield University in the United Kingdom
- Undergraduate scholarships to The University of Adelaide, Flinders University, University of South Australia and The University of Sydney
- Postgraduate scholarships to Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and The University of Adelaide
- Funding for the Sir Ross & Sir Keith Smith Lectureship in Aeronautics at The University of Adelaide
- Sponsorships to Royal Aeronautical Society, South Australian Space School, Australian Fluid Mechanics Conference and Mid North Christian College
- Sponsorships to secondary students to attend a World Space Congress in the USA and a National Youth Science Forum Study Tour of Russia
- T-Ray imaging system for aerospace applications
- Stability and control of wingtip vortices
- Establishment of a centre of excellence for aeronautical research and education
- Establishment of an aero-acoustics research capability
- Establishment of large-scale wind tunnel and jet propulsion teaching facilities
- New air-conditioning system for general aviation aircraft
Persons or organizations requiring further information in connection with any of the research and developments projects, scholarships and sponsorships should :-
- Contact the Secretary, The Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith Fund at the following address :-
The Secretary
The Sir Ross & Sir Keith Smith Fund
Australian Executor Trustees
44 Pirie Street
ADELAIDE SA 5000Telephone: (08) 8127 1600
Facsimile: (08) 8127 1601
- Forward enquiries by email to:-