Download - Royal Australian Navy

About the Competition
Peter Stuckey Mitchell was born in Victoria in 1856. He grew up in the rural industry
and, like his father, became a grazier on inheriting Bringenbrong Station, Upper Murray,
New South Wales. During his lifetime he became a successful cattle and racehorse
breeder, and at his death in 1921 left an estate valued at £215,000, from which his wife
was left an annuity of £5000.
Through his Will he directed that on his wife’s death the net income remaining from
his estate be formed into a trust account to be known as the ‘Peter Mitchell Trust Fund’.
The purpose of the fund was to provide prizes ‘to encourage and help the capable,
health and strong to develop … their natural advantages’. This section of the Will made
provision for part of the income obtained to go to the navies and armies of the British
Commonwealth of Nations. Due to lengthy legal proceedings that followed the death
of his wife in 1954 it was not until 14 December 1970 than an agreement was made to
compete for the awards as they are known today.
The Chief of Navy has been authorised by the Trustees of the Peter Mitchell Trust Fund
to use the income available for various prizes. One of these is the prize awarded for the
Peter Mitchell Essay Competition. This is an annual competition, open to members of
British Commonwealth navies of commander rank or below, who are full-time members,
or reservists who have served at least 20 days in the 12 months prior to the closing
date of the competition.
Under the auspices of the trust arrangements, three prizes are awarded each year:
• Winner Open Section.
• Winner Officer’s Section.
• Winner Sailor’s Section.