TasPorts Charles Black Scholarship Recipient 2025
TasPorts is pleased to announce Jake Quinn as the recipient of the TasPorts Charles Black Scholarship for 2025.
Posted
19 June 2025
TasPorts is proud to announce Jake Quinn, an aspiring maritime engineer at the Australian Maritime College (AMC), as the recipient of the TasPorts Charles Black Scholarship for 2025. This prestigious scholarship honours Tasmania’s inaugural Harbour Master, Captain Charles Black, and supports the next generation of maritime professionals.
Photo: Jake Quinn with Anthony Donald, CEO, TasPorts
TasPorts CEO Anthony Donald said the scholarship continued to play an important role in nurturing Tasmania’s future maritime workforce.
"Now in its fifth year, this scholarship reflects our commitment to supporting the development of emerging talent while recognising Charles Black’s significant and lasting contribution to Tasmania’s ports," Mr Donald said.
"For recipients like Jake, it not only helps ease the financial pressure of study, but also provides invaluable industry exposure through placements across Tasmania’s diverse port network," Mr Donald added.
Photo: TasPorts graduate Isabella McRobbie with Jake Quinn and past scholarship recipients Abby Gibson & Lachlan Bird
Jake, who hails from Northern Tasmania, began his studies at AMC at the start of 2025, enrolling in a Bachelor of Maritime Engineering (Honours) with Cooperative Education. With a passion for both engineering and the ocean, Jake’s career ambitions include advancing sustainable technologies within the maritime sector.
"There is something so noble about engineering, the design, the betterment of society, and the exploration and advancement of our world," Jake said.
"When I realised I could combine my two biggest passions in engineering and the ocean, studying Maritime Engineering became my highest goal."
Coming from a hardworking family background where financial hardship was a reality, Jake said the scholarship would significantly ease his transition to university life.
"Receiving the TasPorts Charles Black Scholarship will make my journey through university easier by leaps and bounds, giving me the starting platform to properly support myself," Jake said.
Jake is already demonstrating leadership qualities beyond his academic achievements. A former Dux of Cressy High School, he was selected as a youth leader at the 2023 World Scout Jamboree in South Korea, representing Tasmania.
In the future, Jake aspires to work with leading maritime organisations or research institutions, contributing to the evolution of marine design, systems engineering, and sustainability.
About Captain Charles Black
Captain Charles Black was widely respected in the maritime industry, dedicating more than 30 years of service to Tasmania’s ports and maritime sector.
Arriving in Tasmania in 1981 to work at the Australian Maritime College, Captain Black later held roles in Bass Strait and the Timor Sea before settling at the Port of Bell Bay as a Marine Pilot. He went on to become Harbour Master and CEO of the Port of Launceston, and, following the formation of TasPorts, Tasmania’s first Harbour Master. Even after retirement in 2015, he generously continued to share his expertise until his passing in 2018.
The TasPorts Charles Black Memorial Scholarship provides $5,000 per year for up to four years to a Tasmanian commencing an undergraduate degree at AMC.
More information is available on the University of Tasmania Scholarship and Prizes page