THE LAUNCH OF www.gafoundation.org.au AND APPLICATION FORM

May 2007 saw the Foundation launch its much anticipated new website and application form. While the website address is still the same, www.gafoundation.org.au, the content, look and feel of the site has changed dramatically.

The website should be the first port of call for any organisation wishing to apply for funding to the Foundation. Apart from the latest news and events, the website also provides case studies of recently funded and completed projects, details on what areas we fund, our objectives and some history and background on George Alexander.

The biggest change to our website, an d indeed our Foundation, in recent times comes with the creation of an application form. We hope the form will provide all our applicants with an equal opportunity to demonstrate the quality, need and the demand for their project. To download the application form go to the How to Apply section of our website and complete the checklist. The application form can be completed as a Word document, saved and printed. The form must be sent to the Foundation via both hard and electronic mail.

If your organisation does not have access to either the internet or a computer, we would be pleased to post you a hard copy of the form.

Feedback on the website and application form so far has been great, but we are constantly looking to improve the content and usefulness of both. We would be delighted to hear any comments you may have and improvements you can suggest. Send your views to admin@gafoundation.org.au or call us on (03) 9650 3188

George Alexander has always said he likes the idea of “planting seeds and hoping they grow into pretty big trees”. This concept has not only helped to shape many of the gifts made by the Foundation, but in respect to the Education Program, it has inspired its direction.

The establishment of The George Alexander Foundation Scholarship Program in 2002 marked the beginning of what has been a significant investment by the Foundation in the lives of students across Australia. By the end of 2007, the Foundation will have approximately 300 George Alexander Foundation Scholars and Fellows across the country at an investment of over $2 million.

The current scholarship programs at RMIT University and Griffi th University end in 2007. The Foundation is in discussions with both Universities to build upon their experiences and the scholarship needs of their students. The Foundation has also begun conversations with universities in Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales, as we look to expand the Program across the country.

The past twelve months have seen The George Alexander Foundation Scholarship Program expand into the Northern Territory, with one of our biggest programs established to date. The Foundation has also strengthened its links with George’s past by establishing a pilot Scholarship Program at The Gordon Institute of TAFE, a facility where George was both student and teacher.

Continuing our commitment to assist young people as they gain or enhance their trade skills, the Foundation has supported Worldskills Australia in sending a competitor to the International Worldskills Competition in Japan in 2007. The competition provides opportunities for the best apprentices and trade students in the world to compete at the highest level against one another.

The George Alexander Foundation welcomes the opportunity to discuss potential partnerships that will continue to build upon the skills and educational outcomes of students across Australia.

Australian Catholic University, VIC

$150,000 to The George Alexander Foundation Scholarships (2007–2009) at ACU Ballarat

Ms Bea Brickhill, National Fundraising Manager www.acu.edu.au

The George Alexander Foundation Scholarships at the Australian Catholic University’s Ballarat Campus were established in 2006 and the first scholarships were awarded in early 2007.

The program provides for five scholarships in each of 2007, 2008 and 2009. Each scholarship is valued at $10,000 and is provided to the scholar over the three years of their undergraduate degree. The funding is to be used towards the costs of living and study expenses. Each scholar will have demonstrated strong academic achievement coupled with a demonstrated commitment to their community and their chosen field of study.

In 2007 five scholarships were awarded. This figure was reduced to four after the deferral of a scholarship winner from study. The four George Alexander Foundation scholars for 2007 at ACU are:

The George Alexander Foundation 2007 Scholarship Winners

RecipientCourse

Lauren Marie da Graca CostaBachelor of Education

Christie HoyBachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Arts

Amy Louise McCannBachelor of Nursing

Amelia RasmussenBachelor of Education

“In 10 years time I want to own my own station… I believe that having the opportunity to get The George Alexander Foundation Scholarship has helped me on my way to achieving my childhood goals.”

— Juanita Thorpe, 2007 George Alexander Foundation Scholar