Impact Report 2021
On behalf of our University community, I thank you for your support in 2021. Each year I am astounded by the generosity of our supporter community. We are honoured to partner with you in making a real difference in the lives of our students, research outcomes and the future of our communities. Thank you for sharing our values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability. Your commitment to shaping the future through the generosity of your support is invaluable.”
Professor Alex Zelinsky AO
Vice-Chancellor and President
Impacting students, researchers and our community: 2021 the year in numbers
donor-funded scholarships
to support research
Research
The University received over $9.5 million in philanthropic research funding in 2021, an increase of 20% on 2020. Your amazing generosity supports our research community to improve the health of people and communities, unearth renewable energy solutions, forge new connections and drive growth and investment across our regions.
In 2021 we were honoured to receive a $7.5 million five-year philanthropic commitment from the Mark Hughes Foundation.
This amazing gift will support a dedicated brain cancer team to drive critical research, education and health care improvements at a national scale for brain cancer patients, their families and carers and health professionals.
We commenced a partnership with Crystalbrook Kingsley that has enabled the University to work closely with the hotel to discover new ways to reduce waste through an annual environmental scholarship and working closely with our Food Science Research Group.
We are so grateful for the many remarkable gifts we received that are helping us to solve some of the most significant challenges of our time. Your generosity matters. Thank You!
Thank you very much for your generous support of research at the University of Newcastle in 2021. Because of you, researchers like me can continue to do vital work to build better futures and find the solutions that society needs to respond to its greatest challenges.”
Read more about research at the University
Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin
Interim Head of School
School of Medicine and Public Health
Community programs
In 2021 the University received $70,000 in philanthropic funding through Perpetual for the project ‘Refugee Mothers and Children in Regional NSW: A Toolkit for Schooling Success’. This is the first Australian project of its kind and is providing support to refugee background mothers and carers who highly value education but might have minimal experiences of formal schooling, limited print literacy, and/or anxiety about how to best assist their children with education. The project is identifying key strategies for collaborative and inclusive educational outcomes.
The Guyati, Garraka wa Witing Speech Pathology Project is a ground-breaking program to address the critical shortage of speech pathology services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in rural NSW. In 2021 the University received $98,000 in philanthropic support from the Vonwiller Foundation. This generous donation is allowing final year Speech Pathology students to help empower communities and address early speech and language difficulties.
The incredible support of 2NURFM from our donor community continued in 2021 with our two appeals raising $62,804 from 846 supporters. This was a 9% increase on 2020 allowing the radio station to continue producing and airing its beloved programs and music for its loyal listeners.
Being a part of this project has been the highlight of my career so far, the experience and skills I developed during the placement has been the backbone of much of my clinical decision making. The scholarship helped immensely with living costs, travel and clinical related expenses and I am very grateful for it. A big Murrungbu (thank you) to the donors!”
Anuja
Bachelor of Speech Pathology graduate and 2021 Guyati, Garraka wa Witing Speech Pathology Project placement scholarship recipient
Scholarships
We believe in providing opportunity for all people, regardless of their background and experiences. With your help, we continue to grow the number of scholarships available to our students and in 2021 we were able to create 52 additional donor-funded scholarships. The total value of funds available to students rose 21.5% to $2,669,250.
To celebrate Dr Bernard ‘Bernie” Curran AM’s life and the incredible impact he had on our communities, the University of Newcastle established the Dr Bernard Curran AM Memorial Fund, raising over $60,000 in 2021. The Fund will provide an annual named Shaping Futures Scholarship supporting our students from diverse backgrounds who have overcome barriers to education.
Our Ma & Morley Scholarship Program welcomed 27 new Scholars in 2021, bringing the total community to 115, made up of 94 Scholars and 21 Alumni Ambassadors. This revolutionary scholarship program was born to honour the life-changing and enduring friendship between the successful Chinese entrepreneur Jack Ma and respected Novocastrian Ken Morley.
The program aims to inspire, educate and cultivate the next generation of globally aware and socially conscious Australian leaders and is only possible thanks to a generous US$20 million philanthropic commitment from the Jack Ma Foundation in 2017.
My parents instilled in me a deep respect for the natural environment, the driving force behind my decision to pursue the combined degree in civil and environmental engineering. The scholarship has been life changing, and has allowed me to study full-time while supporting my family. The cultural learning aspects of the program have helped me to further appreciate the diverse range of people that make up our amazing society.”
More inspiring stories from our Scholarship Recipients.
Thomas
Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours)/Bachelor of Environmental Engineering (Honours) student and 2021 Ma & Morley Scholarship recipient
Alumni
Volunteering
In 2021, not only did 453 Alumni make a philanthropic donation, 709 of our alumni contributed 11,227 hours of their time to volunteering through mentoring, storytelling, and providing expertise and advice. Their efforts helped build leadership and community, supported student recruitment, and enhanced student experience.
I see volunteering through mentoring as my opportunity to support a younger version of me or someone from a similar background, so they don’t have to go through the same hurdles I experienced when coming to University as an international student. Not only do I give, but I receive, and I learn a lot.”
Watch Chukwuemeka’s full story
Chukwuemeka
Alumni volunteer
Alumni House
Alumni House will celebrate and publicly recognise the enduring relationship between the University, its alumni and its communities. This exciting project will provide a hub for physical and virtual collaboration, reminiscing and networking. It will continue the University’s history of being established by the community, for the community.
2021 saw our first appeal for 
Alumni House, and the generosity of our donors has created the foundation for the connection, conversation and celebration that this project will enable. We are continuing to work towards our $15 million goal, and are excited to create something unique and enduring thanks to your generosity.
Donor survey: 2021 insights
In 2021 we undertook our first ever donor survey; thank you to everyone who contributed. Hearing from you, our amazing supporters, helps us to understand what you are passionate about and how we can grow our relationship with you.
My greatest hope for young people is that they can have the educational opportunities they need regardless of their heritage or socioeconomic status. I support and appreciate the staff who make this possible.”
Staff donor
I wish to help as I received a hardship scholarship at the University of Newcastle without which I could not have attended.”
Survey respondent
Thank You
“Being awarded the scholarship drastically improved my circumstances and my mental health. I cannot put into words the feeling of the burden of my financial situation being lifted from my shoulders. It encouraged me to keep looking ahead and to try my absolute best in all of my studies. It alleviated so much stress and allowed me to focus on my studies and my assignments.”
Bonnie
Bachelor of Medical Science student and Dr Susan Lim Scholarship in Medicine recipient
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
Feedback
We hope that you have found this review useful and informative. Our intention is to remain transparent and open in all our operations and interactions with you.
We also really value your opinions and feedback, and the chance to understand the motivations behind your amazing gifts and your preferences in working with us.
If you would like to give us feedback on this report, or any other aspect of being a philanthropic supporter of the University of Newcastle, you can email donor-relations@newcastle.edu.au or call 02 4921 8612
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.