ECU Impact Report 2021

EDITH COWAN UNIVERSIT Y

IMPACT REPORT 2021 Why your giving matters

PHONE:

(08) 6304 2761

EMAIL: development@ecu.edu.au ECU.EDU.AU/GIVING-TO-ECU -

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The top public university in Australia for undergraduate teaching quality six years in a row

MAKING A DIFFERENCE On behalf of the entire Edith Cowan University (ECU) community, we express our sincerest gratitude to you, our incredible donors, contributors and supporters in 2021.

Rated 5 stars for undergraduate teaching quality 14 years in a row

By providing your time, expertise and donations to our many programs you have directly invested in the future of our students, and the people they go on to serve. Whether the support is helping students overcome barriers in acquiring an education, or rewarding our high achievers, your gifts have made a real difference.

Through your support, we have also been able to continue our research into some of the most pressing global challenges of our time.

Ranked in the world’s TOP 100 UNIVERSITIES Under 50 years old

ECU in the past year celebrated two landmark milestones. Our young university turned 30 years of age. We also marked the centenary anniversary our university’s namesake, Edith Dircksey Cowan, becoming Australia’s first female member of Parliament.

There are so many exciting changes on the horizon. As we look to the future with our new ECU City Campus, we know our worldleading courses will continue to gain international recognition.

Your gifts, no matter the size, are powerful and together we are transforming the future of research and student experiences. It is therefore with great appreciation we present to you this Impact Report for 2021. We hope you enjoy reading these stories and experiences that have only been possible with your help.

Thank you once again for your support. You are having a remarkable impact on our university, our students, and the community we love to serve.

With gratitude Development and Alumni Relations team

FEBRUARY 2022 Of fice of Development & Alumni Relations

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HOW YOU SUPPORTED US IN 2021

STAFF GIVING

$2,141,193

44

gif ts

Staff have made regular gifts in support of; Equity Scholarships Excellence Scholarships Research

re ceived fro m

General Funds Research Scholarships

SCHOL ARSHIPS

69 163

103

Individual donors

Organisations, Trusts and Foundations

Philanthropic Scholarships Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

12%

36%

Excellence

52% su p po r ted

Equity

ALUM NI ticketed events supported

3 50

Scholarships (49.29%)

Prizes

(4.69%)

Research

Other

(12.67%)

(24.59%)

Teaching (8.76%)

Fully Funded Equity Scholarships Students received assistance with hardship funds

TAP N GO

$620

towards Equity Scholarships

PREGNANCY TO PARENTHOOD

65

Families Supported

The information in this report is true and correct at the time of printing

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cultivating TALENT PRESTIGIOUS DAME MARY GILMORE AWARD In 1894, Edith Cowan was one of the founding members of the Karrakatta Club.

We are grateful that, through the generous support of current members of the Karrakatta Club, the Dame Mary Gilmore Award provides assistance and opportunity to young women training in classical voice.

Edith would be proud of our ongoing shared commitment ensuring female students pursue their career ambitions.

The prestigious Award furthers the education of an eligible female student, offering a scholarship to meet expenses associated with their degree. Sophie Herbert, 2021 Dame Mary Gilmore Award recipient, said receiving the Award was a great honour.

“It is truly wonderful to have the hard work and dedication I have put in my craft acknowledged in such a prestigious way,” said Sophie.

“I grew up in regional Western Australia and attended a school that didn’t offer ATAR music. It had limited classical voice opportunities and I needed to travel to Perth to access voice lessons.

As I approach the end of my final year, I have established a professional network through the performance showcases provided to me by the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), resulting in numerous professional opportunities, including becoming a part of the West Australian Opera Chorus. These new beginnings are very exciting for me.

I look forward to using the proceeds of this Award to further my studies through a master’s degree in opera studies. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude and thanks for your support.”

We thank current members of the Karrakatta Club who have chosen to continue the tradition of the Dame Mary Gilmore Award, and extend our sincerest gratitude on behalf of our students.

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LEADING THE WORLD The exquisite Founding Pianos collection was born from the spirit of generosity when Stewart Symonds, a Sydney collector, donated one of the world’s most significant and culturally valuable historical keyboard collections to ECU. The collection of 139 vintage pianos features rare and unique instruments made from 1736 to 1874. What distinguishes the collection is its importance to Australian musical history and the role ECU plays in keeping many of the collection’s instruments in working condition.

Part of the Founding Pianos collection is a small unassuming square piano. This particular piano was aboard flagship vessel HMS Sirius - arriving in Australia as part of the First Fleet in 1788 – and is recognised globally by acclaimed researchers and historians as ‘Australia’s First Piano’.

Our supporters join us on a multi-faceted journey to not only restore the current historic collection, but also establish world-leading practices in keyboard performance and research.

This will place ECU as a global specialist in historical keyboard instrument research; positioning WAAPA as a hub for innovation around piano performance, education, conservation, restoration and maintenance.

We would like to thank all those who have donated to the Founding Pianos collection and who continue to champion the next steps in this collection’s incredible journey. This unique and important program would not be possible without your support.

To learn more about our Founding Pianos collection, please visit our website foundingpianos.com.au.

Through the support and generosity of donors and contributors, ECU has been able to breathe life back into this remarkable collection.

ecu.edu.au/giving-to-ecu

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COLLABORATION SAVING LIVES SUPPORTING PROSTATE CANCER RESEARCH

While the rate of survival has never been higher, prostate cancer can have a devastating, ongoing impact on the quality of life of the patient, which in turn affects their families, partners, friends, and communities.

The ECU Exercise Medicine Research Institute has been at the forefront of research examining how exercise acts as a medicine to improve the lives of men with prostate cancer for the past fifteen years. The institute is a cross-disciplinary alliance of researchers and expertise, with extensive national and international linkages.

Thanks to the generous support of donors, we have been able to test our hypothesis that exercising immediately prior to radiation therapy increases blood flow and oxygen within the cancer, facilitating the effectiveness of radiation therapy in destroying abnormal cells.

This world first study has the potential to change best practice in radiation therapy with patients worldwide and may result in increased therapy success.

Our research has consistently demonstrated that exercise improves physical and mental health in men with prostate cancer. A recent study has even indicated that in some cases, exercise may actually suppress tumour progression.

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REALISING DREAMS ABORIGINAL PERFORMANCE AT WAAPA The generosity of donors such as the Bass Family Foundation, Roy Hill Community Foundation, and the Estate of Julie Amsberg provides financial freedom for students of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island heritage to participate in worldclass education and training in the performing arts.

These gifts result in incredible outcomes as our students feel supported by those wanting them to succeed; powering a heightened drive to excel in their studies.

Rick Brayford, WAAPA Lecturer, says by giving a gift to Aboriginal Performance at WAAPA, you are truly having an incredible impact on a student’s ability to graduate - a feat that is often unattainable due to financial constraints.

“There is a great demand in Australia for skilled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander actors, film writers and directors,” said Rick.

“Despite this, there are still significant barriers that prevent these students in having the same level of access to education and being set up for success.

Your support helps to break down these barriers and has a significant impact on our students’ lives.

Thank you to all of our donors for believing in our students.”

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a MISSION TO CARE

SUPPORTING OUR NURSES Thanks to our donors, scholarships give our talented nursing undergraduate students the support they need to graduate.

Most students requesting financial support through equity scholarships are from humble backgrounds. Many rely on part-time jobs and the COVID-19 pandemic has made such opportunities increasingly unpredictable. This financial insecurity, along with upfront costs for first year students, often push talented budding nurses out of the industry.

“When I found out I had received this scholarship I was speechless, and couldn’t help crying tears of joy. It made me feel that my hard work was being acknowledged. This scholarship motivates me to study hard and be the best nurse I can be.”

Farhiya Hussein 2021 Woss Family Scholarship Recipient

However, through the gift of a scholarship, donors have played an incredible role enabling scholars to graduate and thrive. On behalf of our nursing students, we would like to express our sincerest gratitude to all our donors making these opportunities possible.

Farhiya Hussein ECU.EDU.AU/GIVING-TO-ECU

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OUR inspired staff

Dorian’s journey with ECU began as a student.

“Throughout my studies I felt the pinch of what it is like to juggle study and work. Now, as an ECU staff member, I deduct a gift regularly through payroll. This is in the hope that by supporting scholarships I can help others to be alleviated of financial worries and focus on their study,” said Dorian.

Dorian Salzmann Learning Technologies Support Officer

“I barely even notice the deduction, yet the individual receiving it I hope would have a life changing outcome.”

“I believe that students of all backgrounds should be afforded an opportunity to undertake higher education, and I’m so happy to help make this possible.”

Thank you to all of our incredible staff who are giving to ECU.

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a LEGACY FOR GENERATIONS CELEBRATING A DECADE OF THE DR SUSAN HOLLAND SCHOLARSHIP In 2011, The Dr Susan Holland Scholarship was established thanks to the generosity of a former staff member who wished to support doctoral students in the School of Education. Over the last ten years, the scholarship has supported 14 students as they work towards research excellence.

Dr Susan Holland, Pro-ViceChancellor at ECU from 1999 to 2003, was passionate about equity and access to education for all. Her legacy gift is the largest bequest received by ECU to date, and will make a lasting impact for many generations to come.

“On receiving the Dr Susan Holland Scholarship, I established a mindset of excellence, which has enabled me to flourish and succeed. At that time, I recognised the significance of the scholarship and was both humbled and honoured, making a personal contract with myself to be everything that Susan was herself. I am extremely proud of the support and opportunity from Susan’s family as the scholarship certainly made life in the early days of PhD more achievable and of my career since, absolute gold.”

Dr Donna Barwood “One of the proudest moments of my life was being presented with the Susan Holland Scholarship in a room full of academics and most importantly, my three children. I recently graduated as Doctor Jefferson and I can honestly say that this scholarship acted as a significant milestone in my journey. It enabled me to keep going at a time when I didn’t think I could. One of the key findings in my research was how important social support is in sustaining positive veteran teachers in staying engaged in their teaching. This award epitomised that in every single way. I am, and will always be, a very grateful recipient.”

Dr Sarah Jefferson

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OPENING MINDS, TOUCHING HEARTS ECU FOGARTY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS The ECU Fogarty Foundation Scholarship is directly impacting the inclusivity and effectiveness of the classroom for today’s children and for that we are truly grateful.

ECU Fogarty Foundation Scholarships support post-graduate students specialising in learning challenges, helping students to fulfil their ambitions whilst supporting accessibility and equity in education for children of all levels of learning.

Arlene McKinney, 2021 Fogarty Scholarship Recipient, said it has always been her passion to teach children with learning difficulties.

“I completed a Graduate Certificate in Literacy Education at ECU, which gave me a firm foundation in teaching literacy explicitly so that all children attain proficient literacy skills.

However, I wanted to focus on how to best teach children with dyslexia and gain my Masters in this area,” said Arlene.

“I enrolled in the Graduate Certificate of Education (Learning Difficulties), however the course stopped being Commonwealth supported, which meant that my fees for each unit tripled. I seriously debated whether it was financially viable for me to continue with the course, even though I knew the units would be hugely valuable to my teaching.”

“I have gained so much knowledge of how the brain learns to read, and how to best put this knowledge into practice. I am so very grateful to the Fogarty Foundation for providing this opportunity for me to learn and develop as a teacher.”

Thank you to all donors who support education students. You are making such a meaningful difference in the lives of ECU students, and their future students.

Dr Annie Fogarty, Executive Chairperson of the Fogarty Foundation, awarding scholarship recipients at the 2021 ECU Scholarship Ceremony

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THE SKY’S THE LIMIT We are very grateful for the incredible generosity of Perth Airport in funding the Perth Airport Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Scholarship.

The Scholarship is offered to an outstanding first year student of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage within the Schools of Business and Law, Medical and Health Sciences, Engineering and Technology, or Science.

Thanks to the Scholarship, recipient Sarah Mills was able to study a Bachelor of Law. She is already a small business owner, artist and photographer with a Bachelor of Arts and Honours degree to her name.

“I am studying Law at ECU to gain the skills needed to analyse situations from differing perspectives, to think critically and fight fairly for Aboriginal children, families, and communities,” said Sarah.

“I hope to use these skills to grow cultural understanding and bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. This Scholarship has given me the means to achieve my dream of contributing to a more connected and loving society.”

Miss Mills is driven by a desire to make a difference.

2021 Perth Airport Scholarship Recipient, Sarah Mills

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Some of our 2021 Scholarship Recipients

THE GIFT OF EDUCATION

INSPIRING MINDS

ECU’s Inspiring Minds Scholarships enable those facing financial difficulties the opportunity to complete their degrees and fulfil their potential.

It provides financial support to students who are demonstrating academic achievement in their chosen area of study.

Through the program, the impact of a student’s financial position on their ability to study and achieve their ambitions is lessened. Thanks to our generous donors, nine Inspiring Minds Scholarships have been awarded in 2021. This incredible outcome is only possible thanks to you, and we extend our sincerest thanks.

Chavai Watch Here

As a personal thank you, two recent recipients have filmed a short thank you message, which you can access through these links.

Rebecca Watch Here

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thank you ECU would like to thank and acknowledge the support of Alumni, staff, friends and organisations for their generous support.

This active involvement in our university is vital to ensure that together we continue to improve lives through educating future generations and delivering collaborative research.

On behalf of the ECU community, thank you.

DONATE ONLINE

ECU development & alumni relations PHONE:

(08) 6304 2761

EMAIL:

development@ecu.edu.au

ecu.edu.au/giving-to-ecu

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