Gerry and Helen Baber OAM mark over 25 years of giving

Gerry and Helen Baber have generously supported the students of Charles Sturt for over 25 years. Motivated by a need to help others and a deep feeling of community spirit Gerry and Helen were this year presented with a Milestone Book which demonstrated to them the impact they had made.

The Foundation reached out to their past scholarship recipients and were able to share with Gerry and Helen what their support meant to these students at the time and what they have gone on to achieve in their careers.

Gerry and Helen’s first scholarship recipient Bruce Charge who received his scholarship in 1995 happily shared his story with the couple. Since graduating in 1997, Bruce Charge has enjoyed a diverse career, mostly in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry. Taking on sales, marketing and finance roles, he has worked with industry giants such as Campbell Arnott’s, Wrigley and Woolworths where he works today. Bruce also completed further studies in Counselling and Psychotherapy, before completing an MBA at Charles Sturt and Chartered Practising Accountant (CPA) certification. He is married to a fellow Charles Sturt alum and has two daughters. “The scholarship meant that I didn't have to worry about the costs of my accommodation, and it was also a tremendous thing to have on my CV as I embarked on getting that first all-important job after university. But more importantly, it lifted my self-esteem and gave me the self-belief that I could complete my studies and form a life for myself after the passing of my parents.

“I really appreciate the faith and opportunity gifted to me through the scholarship, and my time at Charles Sturt holds some of my happiest memories.”

It is a testament to the ripple effect of Gerry and Helen’s support which has seen future leaders such as Bruce go out and make a splash in the world.

Reflecting on his early studies at Charles Sturt, Bruce said receiving a scholarship had a profound impact on his life.

“My parents passed away early in my studies, so being made a Residential Advisor and recipient of the Gerry and Helen Baber Scholarship gave me a major confidence boost and incentive to persevere with my studies through a profoundly challenging time in my life.