IMPACT REPORT 2025
I’m filled with pride at the growing impact of the Beacon of Hope Foundation
Welcome to the inaugural publication from our Beacon of Hope Foundation, aimed at highlighting the incredible impact of the giving that comes from our community.
As the Executive Principal, I am very proud of the collective efforts of our community through the Beacon of Hope Foundation.
Since its inception in 2021, the Beacon of Hope Foundation has built a community of like-minded staff, students, families, donors and sponsors who have all given so generously of their time, treasure and talent.
As we reflect on another remarkable year, I’m filled with pride at the growing impact of the Beacon of Hope Foundation—both within our local community and across the globe.
Through our service programs, students have led inspiring initiatives to address food insecurity, support families in need, and champion environmental causes. Beyond our borders, we’ve continued to support education projects in East Timor and Bangladesh, demonstrating the powerful global reach of our community’s compassion and commitment.
Many of our fundraising efforts are led by our passionate and highly-talented students. They are also made possible due to the dedication of our staff, who go to incredible lengths to support our students and model the spirit of giving.
Over 40 years ago, our College was founded on giving and service. This community has never stepped back from the need to work together to benefit those around us. That spirit is now captured in our Beacon of Hope Foundation.
Like our founders, the Foundation is about choosing hope over hopelessness and making a difference in the lives of others. We have achieved so much, as this report attests, but there remains much more to do.
None of this would be possible without the generosity of our corporate partners, the dedication of our staff, and the wholehearted support of our students and their families.
Our scholarships and bursaries continue to open doors for students who may not otherwise have access to the opportunities they deserve. A heartfelt thank you to Stephen Creese for his continued generosity, to our staff who participate in payroll giving, and to our corporate sponsors.
This year also marked the beginning of our Building Fund—an exciting new initiative that will help ensure our College remains a vibrant, contemporary learning environment for generations to come.
Together, we are building something truly extraordinary.
Stephen McGinley Executive Principal
Kimberley Flannigan Chair of Beacon of Hope Foundation
David Young Company Secretary
The Beacon of Hope Foundation is the Trustee for the Community Education Support Fund (CESF), Community Relief Fund and the Building Fund. The CESF began in 2015. Since its inception, this fund has provided bursaries totalling $197,000 to Beaconhills families in need, ensuring that 27 students can continue their education at the school. Revenue raised by this fund comes from several generous community donors, staff donors, corporate sponsors and general fundraising activities. Generous financial support from Stephen Creese has also provided two fully-funded scholarships for two Senior School students.
The Community Relief Fund has enabled the construction of schools and facilities in Bangladesh ($13,500) and TimorLeste ($27,000). Locally this fund has delivered financial support totalling $9000 in the form of meals delivered via local charity organisations to families in need.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all of our donors for their philanthropic contributions.
Beacon of Hope Foundation
Through the Scholarship Program that Beaconhills has graciously provided, I have been welcomed heartily into your school. I have been given an education that has challenged and pushed me to work hard, because my teachers believe in my progress and goals. Being a scholar to me has meant that I have enormous pride in my school, as well as a positive attitude and enthusiasm for my learning. Creese Scholarship recipient
In a nutshell, why do I give to the scholarship fund? If there is ever a gift that keeps on giving, it is education, as it can change lives. And when one is in a position to give, one should do so. Stephen Creese, donor
When I found out I received the scholarship, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I knew my world would change, and that I would have to leave my beloved friends and old school life behind. At the same time, I knew that joining Beaconhills will help shape my future in the best way possible. Mary, Sliding Doors Scholarship recipient
We very much believe in the incredible work the Foundation does, making such a valuable and tangible contribution to the community, ensuring they are receiving a basic necessity. Samantha Blackstone, Harwyn
The Beacon of Hope Foundation honours the vision and service of our founders and the spirit of giving which defines our school. We are grateful for the support shown to us over the years.
The Beacon of Hope Foundation was established in 2020 with the aim of making a difference in the lives of others. This is achieved by advancing education through scholarships and bursaries, capital developments and meeting the needs
of our community; locally, nationally, and internationally. It has three funds, each with a specific purpose. The Foundation is run by a Board of Directors.
Dr
Stephen McGinley Executive Principal
Tony Sheumack Board Member
Brian Coombe Board Member
Kimberley Flannigan Chair of Beacon of Hope Foundation
David Young Company Secretary
David Moseley Board Member
Thank you to the generous philanthropists who have supported the work of the Beacon of Hope Foundation. Our corporate donors, members of the College community, including alumni, staff, students, families and friends are all helping to change the lives of those in need.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION SUPPORT FUND (CESF)
Asahi Beverages Pty Ltd
Noone Imagewear
Nuline Charter Pty Ltd
SCHOLARSHIPS:
Stephen Creese
Beaconhills College staff
STUDENT BURSARIES:
Campion Education Pty Ltd
Beaconhills College staff
C0MMUNITY RELIEF FUND
JB Hi-Fi
Harwyn Developments
Pro-AV Solutions
BUILDING FUND
Corporate Sign Industries
COLLEGE COMMUNITY DONATIONS
Our sincere thanks go to Beaconhills College parents, staff and students – including the Beacon of Hope Student Committee – for raising tens of thousands of dollars to support our many citizenship and service programs.
These encompass initiatives such as Relay For Life, Fight MND (Motor Neurone Disease) Ice Bucket Challenge and the Hope for Christmas Appeal. We also pay tribute to our Year 8 Certificate of Excellence students for their outstanding community service efforts.
Annual fundraising targets from 2026
Community Education Support Fund (CESF)
• Family bursaries
$40,000
• Student scholarships
$40,000
• Indigenous (Wominjeka) scholarship $40,000
Community Relief Fund
• Timor-Leste schools
$20,000
• Bangladesh schools
$20,000
• Beacon Meals for local charities
$10,000
The Building Fund
Current planning at the Pakenham Campus includes the new Visual Arts Centre, Years 3 and 4 Centre, Science and Technology building and Years 11 and 12 Centre. Berwick Campus planning includes the new chapel and sports facilities.
At the annual Beacon of Hope Foundation Thank You Event in December, student Sophie Corrigan captured the group’s shared mission in one line: “We are all here because we understand that life is more than just ourselves.”
Sophie, the Beacon of Hope Captain, thanked those gathered at the Pakenham Campus for their contributions to the Foundation which helps support people in need both locally and internationally.
The Community Education Support Fund – one of the Foundation’s three arms – has alone funded bursaries of more than $190,000 since 2015, supported 27 students and provided scholarships
thanks to generous donors such as the Creese family and the Sliding Doors Foundation.
Event attendees included charity organisation representatives, VIPs and life members, Board members, staff, significant contributors and sponsors, Beacon of Hope volunteers, parent donors and Citizenship and Service students.
Tony Kent, Deputy Head of Fred Hyde Schools, outlined some of the important work of his organisation in the remote
areas of Bangladesh, where the College has helped build and maintain schools amidst shifting water levels and floodprone landscapes.
The Beacon of Hope Foundation will help fund the building of another new school, for the modest cost of just $19,120.
Executive Principal Stephen McGinley echoed Sophie’s words, that those gathered were “choosing hope over hopelessness”.
“The Beaconhills College community has always stepped up and stepped in to do its best,” he said.
Mr McGinley also announced upcoming fundraising campaigns for a number of significant capital projects for each campus, including the new Chapel at the Berwick Campus.
BEACONHILLS COLLEGE
PAKENHAM CAMPUS
30-34 Toomuc Valley Rd, Pakenham VIC 3810
BERWICK CAMPUS
92 Kangan Dr, Berwick VIC 3806
1300 002 225 enquiries@beaconhills.vic.edu.au beaconhills.vic.edu.au
CRICOS Provider No. 03182J
Beacon of Hope Foundation ABN 29 643 023 634
