Campus Issue #10 September 2021

CAMPUS Issue 10, September 2021

GAF scholars at the Griffith University Networking Morning Tea, July 2021.

CEO's welcome

It has been a busy year for The George Alexander Foundation team.

I am pleased to welcome our newest GAF partner, and only partner in South Australia, the University of South Australia (UniSA). In May 2021 the GAF Regional Scholarship Program commenced at UniSA to support high-achieving and community-minded students who have relocated from a regional or remote location for their studies.

As you may already know, The George Alexander Foundation recently engaged consultants to run an independent evaluation of our scholarship and fellowship programs. Thank you to those who completed the scholarship and fellowship recipient surveys. Your feedback allows The George Alexander Foundation to understand its impact and continue its mission to support talented young leaders to fulfil their potential by achieving their educational goals.

It has been a joy to meet with our GAF community during online events this year. I encourage those who were unable to attend our mid-year Finance Matters seminar to watch the recording provided in this newsletter. The event was an informal conversation on the importance of developing skills to understand and manage your financial wellbeing.

The GAF team and I look forward to hosting more events like this and the upcoming scholar networking events with our partner universities.

It has been a privilege to witness the resilience of our community throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, from my own experience, I know that prolonged demand on our capacity for resilience comes with stress and strain. As we approach the end of the year and you conclude your academic calendar, I encourage you to give yourself space to decompress, rest and re-energise that capacity.

I hope you all take care, stay safe and get vaccinated. Good luck with your studies and the rest of 2021.

Craig Connelly
CEO

Finance Matters

Take control of your finances

In June, the GAF team held an online seminar on personal finances. GAF CEO and finance guru Craig Connelly discussed the importance of thinking strategically about your money, and guest speaker Shadow Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers, MP, shared his experience managing personal finances while studying at Griffith University. Superannuation, budgeting and cryptocurrency were the hot topics of the event.

Were you unable to attend? You can now catch up online.

Watch now

GAF's newest partner

University of South Australia

We’re excited to announce that a new GAF scholarship program has commenced at the University of South Australia (UniSA).

The UniSA GAF Regional Scholarship Program will support regional and rural students who have relocated to pursue their studies with three scholarships, each valued at $24,000 over three years, awarded annually.

Find out more

#GAFPetPics Competition

Celebrating your pawfect pets

We love meeting the GAF community’s pets during online scholar and fellow networking events. From frogs to dogs, it’s clear that animal companions have been a great source of support throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic.

We kicked off 2021 with a photo competition asking for your cutest pet pics, and the GAF community delivered! We are delighted to announce the winner of #GAFPetPics is Griffith University scholar Alexandra McLellan, who shared a photo of her dalmatian Eda.

Find out more about Eda the dalmation and the runners-up on the GAF Community blog.

Find out more

Spotlight on...

Our community

ISSI | Minting the future

Hannah

We caught up with GAF ISSI fellow Hannah, who talked to us about her fellowship investigating the cultural role of Mints.

'I gained some excellent insight into the ways that modern museums are looking for innovative methods to continue engaging audiences with their content, which is now more important than ever amid COVID-19.'

ACU | Bachelor of Education

Jessica

ACU scholar Jessica is not only studying a Bachelor of Education; in her free time, she volunteers with the State Emergency Services (SES). Jessica shared her experience assisting those impacted by the NSW floods for a week.

'During the afternoon, I met many families separated by flooding being reunited for the first time. It was a remarkable thing to experience, so much emotion.'

UniSA | Bachelor of Physiotherapy

Foster

UniSA scholar Foster shared his reasons for pursuing a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and what a GAF scholarship makes possible during his studies.

'The confidence and backing of The George Alexander Foundation ignited an increased sense of purpose and resolution in my academic endeavour. GAF has given social and psychological support as well as economical. It surprised me how much I would feel and benefit from this.'

GAF on LinkedIn

Link up with us!

Are you on LinkedIn or thinking of building your professional profile? Join The George Alexander Foundation Scholars & Alumni Group. You can also tag The George Alexander Foundation if you list your scholarship or fellowship in your LinkedIn profile. This is a great way to connect with other GAF alumni throughout your career.

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'I like the idea of planting seeds in the hope that
they might grow into pretty big trees.'

- George Alexander, AM

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.