Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria

$60,000 (part of a commitment of $180,000 over four years) to The George Alexander Foundation Scholarship For Living Support (2007–2008)

Ms Joy Candish, Manager, Higher Education www.swin.edu.au

In late 2007 the Governors of The George Alexander Foundation agreed to extend the Foundation’s Living Support Scholarship Program at Swinburne into 2008. The extended program has seen an additional five students receive a three-year scholarship valued at $18,000. The program is specifically aimed at students who must live away from home in order to study at Swinburne. The scholarship supports commencing students who have demonstrated a strong academic background along with leadership skills and good community involvement.

The George Alexander Scholars at Swinburne have begun their own scholarship network and engage in community work as a group. The group decided on an environmental focus in 2007 and participated in conservation work with the Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek. The network is continuing in 2008 with the new Scholars welcomed by the 2007 cohort. The group will continue to participate in community work and support each other in settling into Melbourne and the university environment.

The George Alexander Foundation 2008 Scholarship Winners

RecipientCourse

Nathan BickerdikeBachelor of Science

(Professional Software Development)

Troy HendersonBachelor of Engineering

Katie JarvisBachelor of Social Science

Sarah KirbyBachelor of Arts

Trent WardleBachelor of Science

(Professional Software Development)

The Education Foundation Inc, Victoria

$10,000 (part of a commitment of $20,000 over two years) towards Opportunity Scholarships

Ms Louisa Ellum, National Program Manager

www.educationfoundation.org.au

‘Across the board, students were delighted to receive scholarships as most, if not all, of these young people have never received accolades for their gifts and talents. This was very clear at the two award ceremonies we held, when we saw the delight and pride of both students and parents.’

Marion Drummond, chaplain of a Victorian rural secondary college

Opportunity Scholarships allow talented young people to unlock their potential. The main goal of the program is to assist young people in their pursuit of a great idea or ambition that could be life-changing. Each scholarship is valued at up to $1,000 and provides assistance to students with a talent in arts, mathematics and science, sport, English, humanities, languages or information technology. Scholarships are awarded to talented students who may face disadvantage or barriers to achieving their educational goals.

La Trobe University, Victoria

$50,000 (part of a commitment of $100,000 over two years) to the In2science Peer Mentoring in Schools Program in science and mathematics

Mr John McDonald, Peer Mentoring Coordinator www.latrobe.edu.au

In2science is an exciting and innovative program that gets to the heart of science and mathematics by utilising university students as peer role models to engage with high school students and teachers. The program, led by La Trobe University, is based on the STAR peer mentoring program in Western Australia and is funded by The George Alexander Foundation.

The program aims to generate enthusiasm for science, especially chemistry, mathematics and physics, among students in the middle years of their secondary education. This is achieved by providing schools with peer mentor university science students who have undergone training to prepare them for their role in the classroom. Peer mentors can support activities in the classroom or engage on a one-to-one basis with students, encouraging them to reach their potential. The presence of positive young science role models has been shown to have significant impact on young people participating and achieving in science at high school.

In2science, with participating science and mathematics students from La Trobe, Melbourne and Monash universities, is focusing on schools in regional Victoria. The program will initially run for two years and is supported by The George Alexander Foundation in partnership with the participating universities and the Victorian Government.