Campus Issue 1

CAMPUS Issue 1, Jul/Aug 2016

Welcome to the first edition of Campus

CEO's welcome

Welcome to our first issue of Campus, the new George Alexander Foundation newsletter. I joined the Foundation as CEO at the end of 2015 and am proud to be associated with an organisation investing in the potential of talented students, who are committed to giving back to the community.

Together with our Program Manager, Nicole Bortone, I have attended scholarship award ceremonies and visited the campuses of many of our partner institutions to meet with our GAF scholars.

Craig Connelly (CEO) with Gordon GAF Scholars

In 2016 we welcomed 70+ new scholars to our GAF family and have had the fortune to meet many of these students as we travelled around the country – from Murdoch University in WA to Griffith University in QLD, from University of Tasmania in Hobart to those closer to home here in Victoria. Make sure you take a look at our photo gallery below, you might spot someone you know

I have really enjoyed meeting our GAF scholars one on one, hearing about how they came to apply for a GAF scholarship and what their hopes are for the future once they have completed their studies. They are all inspiring individuals who are on track to make meaningful contributions to the Australian community

Earlier this year we launched a new GAF website with some new features such as the Our Community page which pulls in stories from our Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn pages. The addition of the Campus e-newsletter provides another way to share stories from many GAF scholars, fellows and alumni celebrating their achievements during their scholarship or fellowship, or down the track.

We hope you will enjoy reading the stories of our many GAF scholars, fellows and alumni and encourage you to engage with us via social media or directly through the GAF website.

We’d love to share your story too.

Craig Connelly CEO Feature Story

Swinburne GAF Scholar Network

Expanding scholars experiences and friendships

The Swinburne GAF Scholars Network was established with the first cohort of GAF Scholars in 2007, and provides an opportunity for its members to support each other, network and share information with a focus on academic opportunities and community service.

The Network is highly valued by the GAF Scholars, and consistently receives positive feedback in the Scholars' annual reports. Network activities comprise both formal and informal/social components. This is of particular value to incoming GAF Scholars, with existing Scholars helping them with any transitional issues that they may experience as they adjust to university life and living away from home.

‘I really appreciated the mentoring and networking opportunities that I was given…. The events provided are one of the best aspects of the scholarship. I loved expanding my social circle with people from different backgrounds whom I may not have met without this scholarship ….‘ Samantha

Read More

GAF Scholar Story Jon

Allemand

(RMIT)

A recent speech given by Jon at the 2016 RMIT scholarship awards ceremony perfectly sums up the opportunities provided by a scholarship. Jon wonderfully articulated the key qualities we are looking for in GAF Scholars.

GAF Scholar Story Rose Booth (ACU–Ballarat)

As a recipient of a George Alexander Foundation Scholarship, Rose Booth plans to stay connected to her rural roots while helping people lead healthier lives.

Swinburne GAF Scholars volunteering with Conservation Australia

We found this speech truly inspiring and hope other GAF scholars and alumni will also be encouraged to set their sights high.

What do dodging chunks of molten lava have to do with scholarships?

Let Jon tell you...

Growing up more than three hours away from the nearest major hospital, Rose is acutely aware of the paucity of health care services in rural and remote regions.

Inspired by the nurses who treated her when she broke her arm as a child, Rose says it wasn't hard to find the right place to study.

Photo albums Visits to our GAF scholars in 2016

Fellowships ISSI Fellows present & past

You can also watch videos of some past ISSI Fellows talking about the benefits of undertaking a Fellowship.

The George Alexander Foundation is proud to support a range of fellowship opportunities for young professionals via the International Specialised Skills Institute (ISSI).

In 2016, the Foundation is supporting the following five Fellows through ISSI to further their knowledge and skill in their area of expertise:

Scott Champion – Golf Course

Architecture

Clare Kennedy – Architecture

Aidan MacKinnon – Bladesmith

Prudence Rothwell – Developing

Farmers' Markets

David Stephenson – Signwriting

Read More

Michael Dal Zotto

Vicki Abraham

Fellowships Earthwatch Student Challenge Story

In 2011, Caitlin Polak participated in Earthwatch's Turtles on the Move Student Challenge.

Five years down the track she reflects on how her involvement in this program gave her an opportunity to pursue her passion and ultimately helped her realise a career in environmental science.

Read More

Funding announcement

RMIT & Murdoch universities granted further funds

Scholarship programs renewed

The Foundation's Board of Governors recently renewed funding for two of the Foundation's scholarship programs. Murdoch University will receive a further $432k over five years for the George Alexander Foundation Campus Accommodation Rural Scholarship Program.

RMIT University, one of the first scholarship partners of the Foundation, will receive $450k over four years for both bursary and scholarship programs.

Read More News

Earlier this year, we launched a new website for The George Alexander Foundation which has a fresher look and features beautiful shots of some of our current scholars. The site also has some cool new content. The Our Community page draws together feeds from our Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn pages and our GAF blog so you can see all our news and announcements in one place.

We also have a dedicated area for stories from our scholars, fellows and alumni – check out GAF Stories

If you have a story to tell, contact us via the Contact page or email us We would love to hear from you.

And remember to Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Instagram and Join our LinkedIn group

News

Revised edition of The Little Brother

The Foundation has published a new edition of 'The Little Brother', the Life of George Alexander, by Peter Yule. When we recently ran out of copies of the first edition, originally published two years before George's death in 2006.

Putting together an updated edition has allowed us to finish George's story and set out his legacy, The George Alexander Foundation.

Each of our GAF scholars receives a copy of this monograph, allowing them to get to know the man who was behind the Foundation.

Those who have the old edition may like to read the revised last chapter of the new edition which is also available online as an ebook

If you’re ‘old school’ and would like a printed copy of the monograph please contact us at admin@georgealexander.org.au

Copyright © 2016 The Ian Potter Foundation, All rights reserved.

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