The George Alexander Foundation is managed from the office of The Ian Potter Foundation and the two Foundations share the same Board of Governors.
Mr Charles Goode AC – Chairman
Professor Geoffrey Blainey AC
Mr Leon Davis AO
Sir Daryl Dawson AC KBE CB
Sir James Gobbo AC CVO
Mr John Gough AO OBE
Professor Thomas Healy AO
Dr Thomas H. Hurley AO OBE
Mr Allan Myers AO QC
Mr Frank Nelson
Lady Potter AC
Dr John Rose AO
Professor Graeme Ryan AC
Mr George Alexander (1910 – 2008) was a man of vision and generosity. His life story is a tale of achievement in the face of great odds and it exemplifies the ethos that has helped build modern Australia.
A teenage English immigrant, a farm worker, a mechanic, a lecturer and a businessman, George was, in many ways, a lifelong student and teacher. In the words of his biographer Dr Peter Yule, George Alexander was “a self made man whose life experiences inspired a wish to help others.” His story provides inspiration for anyone who believes that determination and perseverance can overcome adversity.
While his business success brought him considerable wealth, when it came to money and possessions, George Alexander’s attitude was that you do not really own them, ‘you’re just minding them’ He felt that this belief ‘frees up your thinking about how you deal with money’, and it was central to the development of his philanthropy.
Chief Executive Officer
Mrs Janet Hirst
Finance
Therese Reidy
Program Management
Caitriona Fay
Communications
Avalee Weir
Administration
Gail Lewry
Miranda Hartcher-O’Brien
Assistant to the CEO
Sarah MacNeill
George established Alexander Foundation in way of sharing his wealth, or as he put it ‘planting seeds and hoping they grow into pretty big trees with George’s great interests, the Foundation’s main focus is supporting access to education for all young people, especially those from rural and regional areas, as well as investment in environment
These interests continue to guide the Foundation’s giving to this day.
The George ABN 58 45
Level 3, 111 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Tel. 03 9650
Email admin@gafoundation.org.au
www.gafoundation.org.au
For this year’s Annual Report, we asked students on scholarships funded by The George Alexander Foundation (GAF), ‘what their scholarship has made possible’ for them. In their responses each student reveals something of the personal challenges they have faced and what it has meant to them to be able to do something that might not otherwise have been possible. I am sure that these stories would have been most gratifying for George.
With the list of GAF Alumni now standing at over 140, the impact of what George Alexander’s legacy has made possible for a growing number of young Australians is becoming increasingly significant. This is also why, in the face of continued economic uncertainty over the last couple of years, we have committed resources to consistently maintain our funding to support these programs. Perhaps not surprisingly, the scholarship students consistently report less stress, better marks, increased enjoyment and in many cases, a sense of camaraderie amongst the GAF Scholars.
Whether they are studying chocolatemaking, aviation, nursing or science, there are consistent themes in the reports we receive from students. There is the gratitude that each of the scholars and fellows expresses for the opportunities brought by the support they have received, but alongside that, there’s a clear determination that they will work even harder in order to uphold the faith that has been put in them. This is precisely the type of personal characteristic we look for when awarding the scholarships.
George would have celebrated his 100th birthday later this year so it is particularly poignant that William Owen-Jones, a trusted friend of George’s and now manager of his estate, successfully applied to have the street outside George’s former home in Coomera, on the Queensland Gold Coast, named in his honour. George Alexander Way will now stand as a further lasting tribute to this successful businessman and generous philanthropist.
My thanks to the Chief Executive Officer, Janet Hirst and the Foundation’s staff, whose work managing the program is fundamental to its success.
Charles Goode AC Chairman
This year the Foundation has continued to concentrate on developing our Scholarship Program. When GAF Scholars are selected, many factors are taken into account apart from academic ability; including the applicant’s leadership skills, community involvement, financial need and future aspirations.
In accordance with George Alexander’s personal philosophy there is also an expectation that our scholars will continue to make a contribution to their community and society as they progress through life.
Philanthropy plays an important role in making higher education available to as many people as possible and the GAF Scholarship Program, now one of the largest private programs in Australia, is a wonderful example of how philanthropic funds can be used to achieve this goal. This financial year $836,500 has been paid to eight universities across Australia for GAF Scholarships and bursaries. Since the Program commenced in 2002, the Foundation has supported 247 students through GAF Scholarships.
When George was alive, GAF Scholars would write to him about their experiences, their courses, what it meant to receive a scholarship and about their hopes and future aspirations. I now receive those letters and I continue to be inspired by the experiences, the wisdom and the passion of our Scholars for their studies, the future of Australia and the contribution they hope to make. Students often write that the scholarship has removed a financial burden from them and their families, enabling them to be financially independent, have the time to commit to their studies and to achieve their educational goals.
I hope the snapshot of students’ experiences in this Report will give you an insight into the many and varied ways that a GAF Scholarship has enriched their lives and has helped them not just attend university but to make the most of available opportunities and fully participate in university activities.
I would like to thank the Governors of the Foundation for their support and advice, and our staff, in particular, Caitriona Fay who manages the Scholarship Program and our Communications Manager, Avalee Weir.
Janet Hirst Chief Executive Officer
Australian Catholic University Scholarships each valued at $10,000 paid over two years
Grace Reid
Samuel O’Brien
James Scott
Amy McCormick
Melissa Barber
Naomi White
Deakin University
Bachelor of Nursing
Bachelor of Nursing / Bachelor of Paramedicine
Bachelor of Nursing / Bachelor of Paramedicine
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)
Bachelor of Nursing / Bachelor of Paramedicine
Scholarships each valued at $10,000 paid over three years
Max Johns
Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Laws
Tanith Lucinda Tansy Margetson Bachelor of Laws
Rachel Phillips
Aimee-Lauren Isabel McLachlan
Johanna Hollyoak
Armina Salcinovic
Jaye Rogerson
Stephanie Cowdery
Pimsiri Phongpagoi
Bachelor of Nursing
Bachelor of Electronic Engineering
Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Nursing / Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology)
Bachelor of Construction Management
Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communication)
Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences
Gordon Institute of TAFE Scholarships each valued at $10,000 paid over two years
Michael Hiorth
Claire Porter
Jessica Denny
Certificate III in Electrotechnology (Electrician)
Certificate IV in Applied Fashion Design and Technology
Advanced Diploma in Building Design (Architectural) / Diploma in Business
Griffith University Scholarships each valued at $22,500 paid over three years
Sarah Petrasiunas
Amelia Stewart
Tahnee Dowsett
Stephanie Tomoana
Zachary McKeever
Tessa Power
Katherine Connolly
Stephanie Miller
Bachelor of Film and Screen Media Production
Bachelor of Exercise Science (Pre Physio)
Bachelor of Exercise Science (Pre Physio)
Bachelor of Animation
Bachelor of Photonics and Nanoscience
Bachelor Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Exercise Science (Pre Physio)
Bachelor of Law / Bachelor of Business
Murdoch University
Scholarships each valued at $16,500 paid over three years
Courtney Ludwig
Chloe Roberts
Caitlin Reddyhough
Abby Telfer
Emma Joslin
RMIT University
Bachelor of Veterinary Science
Bachelor of Veterinary Science
Bachelor of English / Creative Arts
Bachelor of Veterinary Science
Bachelor of Veterinary Science
Scholarships each valued at $15,000 paid over two years
Elizabeth Bhaskaran
Bethany Hyland
Rachel Nowotnik
Siobhan Phillips
Esther Konings
Dean Munro
Amitoze Nandha
Stephanie Blyth
Blaize Montgomery
Swinburne University
Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical)/Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)
Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental) / Bachelor of Science (Environment)
Bachelor of Arts (International Studies)
Bachelor of Medical Radiations (Radiation Therapy)
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Applied Science (Construction Management)
Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)
Bachelor of Health Science
Bachelor of Applied Science (Physical Education)
Scholarships each valued at $18,000 over three years
Andrew Arvier
James Barker
Jacob Campbell
Michael Sweerts
Phillip Smith
University of South Australia
Bachelor of Aviation
Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)
Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)
Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) / Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Engineering (Robotics and Mechatronics) /
Bachelor of Science (Computer Science and Software)
Scholarships of up to $10,000 paid over four years
Bradley Kahl
Bachelor of Engineering
Terri Mercieca
GAF Fellow 2009
International Specialised Skills Institute
Terri is an accomplished chocolatier and pastry chef, who wanted to bridge the skill and knowledge gaps in the chocolate industry in Australia, with a focus on artisanal chocolate productions. Terri’s acceptance to ISSI provided her with mentors, networks and contacts and helped her to devise an international study tour that gave her access to some of the best chocolatiers in the world. Terri is now focused on sharing these riches with the industry and happily, with consumers too. Terri’s fellowship was valued at $20,000.
“I had already planned most of my professional trip to Spain, but the Fellowship made me really consider what exactly it was that I wanted to learn, how was I going to learn it and what was I going to do with all the learning,” explains Terri. “Not only did this Fellowship help fund my trip, it made the experience more focused and it inspired me to do the best I could for the industry in Australia.”
“I trained in Barcelona with Chocolatier and Pastry chef Oriol Balaguer for three months, training in chocolate and pastry. I also traveled throughout Europe to witness their chocolate culture, some fairs and the World Chocolate Masters competition at the Salon du Chocolat in Paris. I have returned with new skills, knowledge and ideas as well as increased confidence in my skills as a chocolatier and pastry chef. The Fellowship will stand as a highlight in my career, an opportunity that enabled me to enhance my skills can only have a lasting influence.”
Terri is now working as the Head Chocolatier for Kennedy & Wilson Chocolates in the Yarra Valley, runs her own business Fraise Sauvage, and is contemplating further training in Spain and France again in the next two years. Beyond this, she plans to open a patisserie and chocolaterie in Melbourne which will focus on producing organic and fairly-traded chocolates and pastries.
Having retired to Queensland, George Alexander later moved from the bustle of Surfers Paradise apartment living to the acreage living of Coomera in the early 1980’s. In the mid-90’s the State Government built a railway station within 800 metres of his property, placing George’s estate in the heart of the proposed new Coomera Town Centre. In the next twenty years it is expected that the area will be transformed from acreage lots to medium to high density housing to accommodate 60,000 people.
As part of the planning process the parties needed to consider how the property would connect into the proposed road networks. The existing road was to be renamed and upgraded to a major four lane arterial linking to the motorway to Brisbane. On the plans it had been designated as ‘Le Mans Road’ (being the name of the go-kart track on the side of the existing motorway).
A petition signed by members of the local community was put forward to have the road named to acknowledge George Alexander Once that was approved, there was a choice to be made between George Alexander Way and George Alexander Drive, however we had always joked that as far as George was concerned there were always two ways of doing things, the wrong way and George’s way, so that decision was clear!
The road will eventually form one of the key linkages in Coomera and it will be a great place marker for the future. Given George’s interest in the area and in education it seems more than coincidence that a new TAFE college is to be opened in the centre of town and to get there the majority of students will take George Alexander Way
William Owen-Jones