The Dr Margot McCarthy Scholarship

Dr Margot McCarthy

Dr Margot McCarthy was an exemplar of public service leadership. She generously dedicated her time, passion and vision to significant public policy throughout her career. She made a deep impact and many will remember her with admiration and respect.

Dr McCarthy completed her undergraduate studies at the University of New England, and went on to complete a Masters in Management at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Doctor of Philosophy in English Literature at Oxford University.

Dr McCarthy built a strong career in national security. She was appointed Deputy National Security Adviser in March 2010 and took up the role as Acting National Security Adviser. Dr McCarthy provided whole-of-government leadership on a range of national security policy issues, including as co-chair of the National Counter-Terrorism Committee and co-chair of the National Emergency Management Committee both intergovernmental committees under the Council of Australian Governments.

As co-chair of the NEMC, Dr McCarthy was closely involved in the development of the National Strategy for Disaster Resilience. The strategy provided guidance to federal, state, territory and local governments, business and community leaders and the not-for-profit sector on disaster management.

Dr McCarthy played a strong leadership role in disaster relief efforts.. She was actively involved in the coordination of Australian Government assistance provided to those affected by the Queensland floods, Cyclone Yasi, the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami and nuclear crisis.

Dr McCarthy was appointed the Australian Government’s National Security Adviser in February 2012, and provided a high level of leadership, direction and coordination to the national security community. She also led the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s National Security and International Policy Group.

Dr McCarthy completed the Senior Managers in Government program with Harvard Kennedy School in July 2014. Dr McCarthy highlighted the value she gained from being immersed in daily discussion, debate and problem-solving with fellow public servants from across the world. She found particular value in Professor Gary Orren’s ‘Persuasion: the science and art of effective influence’, as a masterclass in getting your point across while remaining authentic.

Following this transformative learning experience, Dr McCarthy moved from national security into aged care as Deputy Secretary of the Ageing and Aged Care Group at the Department of Health. Dr McCarthy welcomed the challenge to rethink policy, funding, regulation and leadership for the ageing and aged care system.

Dr McCarthy was critical in the establishment of the APS Academy and the Faculty in 2021. She facilitated engagement across the APS, inspiring conversations and actions leading to initiatives contributing to enhancing the capability of the public service workforce.

The scholarship 

The Dr Margot McCarthy Scholarship rewards those who have made a significant contribution to the service and who display the leadership behaviours demonstrated by Dr McCarthy.

It is awarded annually to a high-performing SES Band 2 nominated by their Secretary or Agency Head.

The Scholarship financially supports one recipient each year to complete:

1. An intensive program relevant to public policy or leadership at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University (Harvard Kennedy School), the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford or other by exception.
2. An international secondment with the UK or US civil service to embed the learning following the program.
3. The recipient will share their expertise and what they have learned through relevant Academy programs or events to enable and empower others upon completion of the scholarship.

The Australian Public Service Commission in partnership with the Secretaries Talent Council launched the Scholarship in 2022, with the inaugural recipient announced in 2023.

2024 scholarship recipient

The 2024 Dr Margot McCarthy Scholarship awardee is Ms Cathy Toze PSM. 

Cathy is the General Manager, Working Age and Pension Programs at Services Australia.

Cathy was selected from a field of outstanding applicants nominated by secretaries and heads of a diverse range of agencies across the Commonwealth. 

While at Services Australia and during her broader public service, Cathy has made significant contributions to public policy and leadership, has championed diversity at many levels and demonstrated a strong commitment to the development of future leaders. 

Her achievements, including in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing supports for vulnerable Australians and successfully implementing critical government commitments, highlight her ability to drive positive change and deliver important results. 

For this and other work, Cathy was recently awarded a Public Service Medal.

The Dr Margot McCarthy Scholarship will support Cathy to complete an intensive executive program relevant to her work at Services Australia and an immersive professional experience to consolidate her public policy and leadership capability. 

Cathy hopes to complete the Executive Public Leaders Programme at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University in July 2024, followed by an immersive work experience in the UK Department for Work and Pensions.

After completing her scholarship, Cathy will share her learnings as an APS Academy practitioner to pass on her expertise and experience.