Director’s statement

After the turmoil of 2020, we began 2021 with renewed hope for a bit of ‘normality’, kicking off with some muchanticipated scholarship ceremonies across our campuses. Sadly this ‘perceived’ normal was to be fleeting, with further lockdowns occurring across the Nation through winter.

However, September brought three very welcome events – an ease in restrictions, some warmer weather and most importantly a new Vice-Chancellor. In early September we had the pleasure of welcoming Professor Renée Leon to Charles Sturt University as our fifth Vice-Chancellor. Professor Leon has extensive experience in Commonwealth and State public Administration and was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2013 for outstanding service to public administration and law in leadership roles in the Australian Capital Territory and the Commonwealth.

From a fundraising perspective, we had a very successful year. Thanks to our resilient and ever-giving community we were able to raise $2,199m to support our students, research and academic programs.

We raised $514,323.91 through 35 gifts, including substantial gifts from Chris and Gina Grubb to support research into wetland bird activity, Riverina Oils to support our First Nations Agriculture initiative and Newcrest Mining to purchase vital equipment for our Doctor of Medicine degree.

Thanks to you, our new and existing donors, we were able to bring the overall value of scholarships awarded annually to $2.5m. To those of you who increased the number or value of your scholarships, we are grateful for your continued support. Our community also responded generously to our various fundraising appeals, particularly the Blair Milan Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Alumni Veterinary Student Fund, raising over $90,000. We were also excited to see our Alumni raise $6000 for the Alumni Give fund through a Virtual Fun Run, (see page 15 for more details).

A vital component of our fundraising is our in-kind support and in 2021 we received equipment and materials to the value of $93,576. This included the gift of a mammography machine from Hologic (Australia) Pty Ltd and $63,000 worth of residential costs from St Martins College, paid directly to student’s accommodation accounts.

I hope you enjoy this year’s report. It is a celebration of our shared work and I think it shows that, despite the challenges life throws at us, collectively we can still have a very significant impact on the lives of those around us.

Our sincere thanks go to all the individuals and organisations who have given in 2021, we appreciate your continued support.

Sarah Ansell Director, Advancement Office CEO, Charles Sturt Foundation Trust