Impact of Giving: The Mostyn Family Foundation

THE MOSTYN FAMILY FOUNDATION SUPPORTS TWO MEANS-TESTED SCHOLARSHIPS AT ST ANDREW’S – ONE FOR RURAL & REGIONAL STUDENTS, AND ONE FOR WOMEN STUDYING IN THE AREA OF STEM. SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE MOSTYN FAMILY ARE ST ANDREW’S ALUMNI, AND AMANDA MOSTYN IS A MEMBER OF THE ST ANDREW’S COLLEGE FOUNDATION BOARD OF MANAGEMENT AND COLLEGE COUNCIL. WE SPOKE TO CAMERON (FR 2005), LAUREN (FR 2013), LILY (FR 2014) AND JOSIE (FR 2005), AS WELL AS AMANDA ABOUT THE FAMILY’S CONNECTION TO COLLEGE AND THEIR PHILOSOPHY AROUND GIVING.

Cameron, Lauren, Lily & Josie - What did you most enjoy about being a student at St Andrew’s College?

Cameron: Studying a double degree in Commerce and Arts, I was fortunate that there was a broad support network within the college for most of the subjects I took whilst at Uni. Having the ability to work collaboratively with other students and attend tutorials or group study sessions was beneficial to my learning style.

Lauren: The people and sense of community. Living with your best friends for three years (often the years where you are going through the most personal growth) meant you went through the ups and downs together. We motivated each other in our studies and had so much fun outside of that.

Josie: I would have to say my favourite times at Drew’s were both competing in and supporting all the intercollegiate sports, not to mention the VDs that followed! I was a very active sportswoman at school so having the opportunity to continue that through college was fantastic. A lecture or two may have been foregone to attend but it was well worth it!

Lily: I think Drew’s allows you to really sink your teeth into your degree, and feel inspired to do so - how could you not with the brilliant support and brilliant students surrounding you? Add the social side of it, the friendship, and the constant laughs, and you can completely flourish in what can be a daunting time starting Uni.

Do you have any favourite memories of your time at College?

Cameron: My fondest memories were all the big events, from the various Rawson and Rosebowl sporting finals to the InterCollege functions. There was such a strong sense of community and fun.

Lauren: All the little things are my greatest memories! The countless conversations we had in people’s rooms and in the corridors, walking to the dining hall and buffet. One moment stands out for me and that was in our third year at the formal after-party outside of the main building. So many people dancing, having drinks in the sun… I just remember feeling so happy in that moment. Josie: My favourite memories all centre around the fun that was had during my time at Drew’s. From O Week to Walkabout; Rosebowl to Rawson; Intercollege events or even just catch ups at Buffet. It really was a great chapter of my life that you’d be hard pressed to replicate anywhere else.

Lily: There are too many to count, but it really is all the little things rolled into one that makes my favourite memory. Sitting in couches in the hallway with your whole floor, decorating your room, walking to uni with mates, the parties, and the personal growth. Makes me smile to think about it all. Take me BACK!

Amanda, the Mostyn Family has a long history with philanthropy, with the entire family being involved in decisions about which charitable causes you support. What is it that motivates your family’s philanthropy and inspires you to give?

Amanda: Three generations of the Mostyn Family meet two-three times/year with the sole purpose of providing funding to charitable organisations around Australia

L-R: Charlie Taylor catches up with Amanda and Richard Mostyn at the 20 Years of Undergraduate Women Celebration Launch in 2022

and the globe.

In 2011, Richard helped his father Bob Mostyn to establish the Foundation. The Mostyn Family Foundation is truly a family affair. Three Mostyn brothers Richard, Andrew, and Robert – their wives Amanda, Gabe and Pauline, their father Bob and all five grandchildren are involved in the Foundation. Cameron Mostyn is a Director of the Board, and his wife Josie (a Vet) provides invaluable support to the Foundation in the medical research space.

The Foundation also established an Advisory Council, to help the younger generations to recommend and facilitate grants to charities of their choice. This has been very beneficial in developing their sense of giving and the responsibility that goes with that.

The Mostyn Family Foundation celebrates 10 years in 2021 since it was established in 2011.

Can you share the story of how and why you came to establish first the Mostyn Family Foundation Scholarship, and more recently the Amanda Mostyn Women in STEM Scholarship at St Andrew’s College?

Three of Bob Mostyn’s five grandchildren are St Andrew’s College Alumni (Cameron, Lauren, and Lily Mostyn). Josie Mostyn who is married to Cameron is also a St Andrew’s alumna. Stephanie O’Connor is the Mostyn Foundation’s Responsible Person who we rely heavily on for her guidance and wisdom. Both Stephanie’s children Jack and Olivia are also St Andrew’s Alumni.

Our children loved the experience of attending St Andrew’s, so The Mostyn Foundation agreed in 2018 to establish a scholarship for a female student with a demonstrated need for financial support to enjoy College life at St Andrew’s whilst they completed their university degree.

What motivated you to establish a scholarship that specifically supports a female undergraduate students? And one studying in the area of STEM?

The Australian Government’s strategy for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) aims to increase gender equity in STEM education and careers.

At the tertiary level, underrepresentation in information technology (IT) and engineering education is of particular significance, especially as these skills will be increasingly important as Australia transitions to a digital and technologically driven economy.

What would you say to encourage someone to support the scholarships program at St Andrew’s College?

If you are in a position to fund a student who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend St Andrew’s College, you are giving them an opportunity of a lifetime that they will never forget.

We are grateful to the Mostyn Family for sharing their stories with us. Read on to find out how their support has helped two current St Andrew’s students. Impact of Giving

IMPACT OF GIVING THE MOSTYN FAMILY FOUNDATION

GRACE PAPWORTH (FR 2019) WAS THE RECIPIENT OF THE MOSTYN FAMILY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS AND JAMIE HEMMINGWAY (FR 2020) BECAME THE FIRST RECIPIENT OF THE AMANDA MOSTYN WOMEN IN STEM SCHOLARSHIP LAST YEAR. BOTH ARE FROM RURAL AND REGIONAL AUSTRALIA AND WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE CHANCE TO ATTEND AND EXPERIENCE COLLEGE WITHOUT THE MOSTYN’S SUPPORT.

What have been some of the highlights of your time at College so far?

Jamie: The camaraderie, mateship and diversity of St Andrew’s College. It is a place where I feel welcome, home and part of a massive family of the most incredible, amazing and inspiring people. One minute you are in the dining hall sitting next to an Australian Rower, the next you are chatting with a remarkable musician. It is a truly humbling experience and I feel very lucky and privileged to be apart of it.

I have been a member of the Women’s Rugby 7’s, Athletics and Hockey sporting teams. A personal highlight for me would have to be as Hockey Secretary, winning the Rosebowl Hockey Tournament in 2021. It was an honour to lead such a talented bunch of girls through the tournament. It was a very proud moment for me standing alongside those girls singing the College Song on the pitch after being undefeated and victorious!

Grace: Over one of the uni breaks I was fortunate enough to participate in the Drew’s problem solving course. I was able to work with very accomplished professionals such as Ian Jackman, Charlie Taylor and Louise Clegg, not to mention the outstanding and innovative course participants. This winter course was academically inspiring and gave each and every one of us a sense of social and intellectual excitement.

How has this scholarship helped you?

Jamie: Without this scholarship it is very unlikely that I would be able to support myself in the move to Sydney (I’m from a small town in rural NSW called Wingham) and to remain at College. The scholarship has also served as an incentive for me to work harder to prove I am worthy of the assistance, and I hope I can make the St Andrew’s Community proud. I am able to study, train for hockey, engage in the college experience and work towards achieving my goals with peace of mind that I am supported.

I am incredibly grateful and intend to heavily immerse myself in the College experience and make the most of every opportunity I am lucky enough to receive whilst I am here. Grace: Without this scholarship I would not be in Sydney. I would not be studying at USYD and I wouldn’t have had the same social and workplace opportunities. Five weeks before I sat my HSC, my mother passed away. Moving to Sydney and coming to Drew’s provided me with a fresh start. The Drew’s community has become a second family and I cannot express how grateful I am to be here.

What are your hopes and plans for 2022, and the future?

Jamie: Next year I enter my final year of my Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) Degree. I hope to maintain my Distinction WAM and eventually once I graduate obtain a new graduate position at a Sydney Hospital in 2023 to work as a Physiotherapist.

I am currently working at a small private Rehabilitation Hospital as a Physiotherapy assistant which has been a sometimes confronting but overall incredible experience. It is very special to develop relationships with patients from all walks of life. The workspace is very rewarding- seeing gradual improvements in physical

and emotional capabilities day-by-day, which I find very special and take a lot of joy and fulfilment from helping the patients reach their goals. I intend to continue working here until I finish my degree, before moving on to experience the high paced environment of a large public hospital setting.

With reference to sporting goals, I was lucky enough to be named in the 2021 Open Women’s NSW Squad for Hockey. It is an honour to compete and train against some of the best players in the country. I hope I can go one step further and gain selection in this team and in doing so, gain the attention of Australian selectors as I dream of one day representing Australia.

Grace: 2022 is the penultimate year of my combined law degree. I am also going to be beginning a Diploma of language in French. I hope to gain experience in the legal and political sphere and take a hold of any workplace opportunities that come my way. The post COVID-19 world will mean that I can travel abroad and potentially take a semester exchange.

In the next five years I have the goal of working as a diplomat for DFAT. I am currently looking into opportunities to intern at the UN and I am excited about what could be around the corner!

The Advancement Office thanks Jamie and Grace for sharing their stories with us.