Chief Executive Officer’s Report

Although each of the Scholarship Programs is tailored to the needs of the respective university and students, there is a common theme to each program, and that is a student’s academic ability, leadership skills and commitment to community involvement.

Facts & Figures

26 Grants paid FY 2008-09

$755,122 Total grants paid FY 2008-09 $2,008,180

Future commitments

Number of current scholars: 101

Number of universities/colleges: 10

$570,500

Total scholarships paid FY 2008-09

In the past year, the Foundation has been concentrating its efforts on our Scholarship Program. The education of talented young people was uppermost in George Alexander’s thinking, perhaps reflecting the struggle that he faced to educate himself.

Since its inception in 2002, the Scholarship Program has gone from strength to strength, with $2,130,980 invested so far and a further $2 million already committed over the next few years. Our scholars undertake a wide range of courses including Engineering, Arts, Photonics and Nanoscience, Music, Nursing and Paramedicine, Film and Television and Exercise Science.

Although each of the Scholarship Programs is tailored to the needs of the respective university and students, there is a common theme to each Program, and that is a student’s academic ability, leadership skills and their commitment to community involvement. The programs are evaluated and developed to ensure that the changing needs of students are met. Since 2008, all George Alexander Foundation (GAF) scholars at Griffith University become members of the Griffith Honours College, which provides these outstanding students with a network of academic and social support as well as providing travel, further education and ambassadorial opportunities. At RMIT, additional funding is now provided to assist with a Mentoring and Leadership Program aimed at helping students reach their academic potential.

The Foundation recognises the importance of supporting our rural and remote communities. Education and training play a vital role in improving the viability of these communities which are facing increasing difficulties attracting and retaining teachers. Research shows that graduates may be more likely to take up rural appointments if they have completed a rural placement during their studies. In acknowledgement of this, a new program has been established to assist teacher education students at Charles Sturt University with their rural and remote placement costs.

I am privileged to attend many of the Scholarship Award Ceremonies and when I speak to the recipients of the scholarships and their families, I am always impressed by the scholarship holders, their commitment, their passion and their faith in the future. George Alexander took great pride in the GAF Scholarship Program, and hoped that the GAF scholars would go on to become leaders and contributors in their communities. For this year’s report, we interviewed some of the students about their personal circumstances and experiences as GAF Scholars. They are each at different stages of their studies and their stories really bring to life what we mean when we talk about the GAF spirit. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I have.

Finally, I would like to extend particular thanks to GAF Program Manager, Caitriona Fay, for her most valuable contribution to the ongoing success and development of the program.

Janet Hirst Chief Executive Officer