Chairman’s Report

The George Alexander Foundation Scholarship Program is now one of the largest of its kind in Australia with 101 scholars currently in the program and others receiving assistance through the Bursary Program.

Opportunities, possibilities, dreams these themes come through time and time again in the stories of the young people whose lives have been changed by George Alexander Foundation scholarships.

George Alexander was a businessman, humanitarian and philanthropist. In establishing his Foundation, one of George’s main aims was to invest in young people of ‘quality’ in the hope that giving them the means to study would ultimately help them to make meaningful contributions to the community, and perhaps, give back to society in some way themselves. The George Alexander Foundation Scholarship Program is now one of the largest of its kind in Australia with 101 scholars currently in the program and others receiving assistance through the Bursary Program. We take great pride in watching the Scholarship Honour Roll expand as years go by and in observing the progress of 111 alumni.

It is fascinating to read the personal journeys each student takes through their education and into their chosen career. The challenges of transition, firstly from secondary to tertiary and then from tertiary education into the workforce are highlighted in the Starting Out and Down The Track features in this report.

This year’s report also shines a light on another inspirational young person, Larissa Brown. Larissa is a young woman of extraordinary energy and talent, who seems destined to play an important role in shaping leadership and future responses on key environmental issues. Through the establishment of The Centre of Sustainability Leadership, Larissa is now surrounded by other promising young people who share her passion for creating a sustainable future, some of whom are supported by The George Alexander Foundation Fellowships. I am confident they will make a significant impact in this area.

It is through young people like these, that George’s legacy and spirit lives on and we at the Foundation watch with interest as they grow, learn, develop and begin to forge their own legacies for the community and the future.

Charles Goode AC Chairman