The Gift - Philanthropy news

The Gift is our philanthropic magazine. Be inspired by the remarkable stories of lives being changed and solutions being discovered thanks to the wonderful generosity of our many supporters who give through the University.

Equity

Young man in black suit smiling at camera

News • 17 Oct 2023

Shaping a positive future for LGBTQIA+ students

With support from many generous donors to the 2023 LGBTQIA+ Shaping Futures Scholarship, Bachelor of Social Work (honours) student Luke is sharing his unique perspectives to help others.

Student drinking tea, smiling at camera

News • 10 Oct 2023

Ma & Morley Scholars return to China

More than forty years since the chance meeting at West Lake in Hangzhou, China that sparked the friendship between Jack Ma and the Morley family, a new generation of globally-minded aspiring leaders from the University of Newcastle visited China for a unique cultural exchange.

Alumnus Michael Ulph training for the Ironman Challenge.

News • 31 Mar 2023

Challenge accepted: Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Alumni and friends from GHD tackle IRONMAN challenge to raise funds for scholarships to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Thanks to a generous grant from the J&K Wonderland Foundation, Associate Professor Jill Duncan and her team are investigating if recent advances in school autonomy are disadvantaging children with disabilities.

News • 30 Mar 2023

Global partnership supports inclusive education

A new research grant from the J&K Wonderland Foundation is enabling University of Newcastle researchers to investigate whether schools in NSW are becoming less inclusive for children with disability.

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Excellence

Three women in beanies smiling at the camera

News • 17 Oct 2023

Brain cancer team marks successful first year

As Australia’s best experts work harder than ever before to find a cure and give hope to everyone affected by brain cancer, we look back on a huge first year for the Mark Hughes Foundation Centre (MHF Centre) for Brain Cancer Research at the University of Newcastle.

Kirralee and Mark Hughes with Vice Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky at the Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research

News • 22 May 2023

Warm your Head and Heart!

Our friends at Mark Hughes Foundation have just released this year’s beanie designs! When you buy a beanie, all of the proceeds will support crucial brain cancer research and treatment.

The University was awarded a prestigious 2022 United Nations Day Honour for the Science and Engineering Challenge.

News • 30 Mar 2023

United nations day honour for national stem challenge

A flagship science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) outreach program has been awarded a prestigious 2022 United Nations Day Honour.

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Engagement

Man in ceremonial graduation robes smiling at camera

News • 18 Oct 2023

Farewell from the Chancellor

University Chancellor, Mr Paul Jeans, will retire at the end of the year following more than 10 years at the helm of our University Council.

Two students in blazers with their backs to the camera, watching a glider head towards a target in a sports hall

News • 11 Oct 2023

Gliding into a more sustainable future

Will it, or won’t it? The nail-biting task of designing and launching their own glider has gripped thousands of high school students over the years as part of the Science and Engineering Challenge. This exhilarating activity has had a sustainable makeover thanks to a special partnership with Boeing.

Bob Kennedy AM and Terry Kennedy, shown here at the opening with out(fit) staff and project architect Caroline Pidcock (pictured at back left), generously supported the construction of the Yarning Circle.

News • 30 Mar 2023

out(fit) yarning circle builds community connection

Circle of connection: volunteers from out(fit), a not-for-profit organisation supported by the University of Newcastle, have teamed up with First Steps Count Child and Community Centre to build community connection with culture in Taree.

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Sustainability

Family group, standing outside, smiling at camera

News • 18 Oct 2023

Why I donate

"We chose to donate through the University of Newcastle because of our close association with both Newcastle and the University."

Sunset over Newcastle with the Hunter River in the top corner

News • 17 Oct 2023

New research taps into the wisdom of water

From too much to not enough – water extremes like floods and droughts are just some of the ways climate risks are impacting our cities and regions.

Two students in blazers with their backs to the camera, watching a glider head towards a target in a sports hall

News • 11 Oct 2023

Gliding into a more sustainable future

Will it, or won’t it? The nail-biting task of designing and launching their own glider has gripped thousands of high school students over the years as part of the Science and Engineering Challenge. This exhilarating activity has had a sustainable makeover thanks to a special partnership with Boeing.

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Meet our donors

Family group, standing outside, smiling at camera

News • 18 Oct 2023

Why I donate

"We chose to donate through the University of Newcastle because of our close association with both Newcastle and the University."

The Hunt Family (left to right): Fidelma, Stephen, Dermot, Rory, Holly, Suzie Maree, and Aidan.

News • 28 Mar 2023

The Hunt Family's story

Giving through the University has been a no-brainer for our family. Fidelma, our five kids and me sit down around the kitchen table every year and discuss where we are going to give back to the community. We appreciate that we are in a position to do this, and as my two daughters and I all went to Newcastle Uni it was a unanimous decision.

Janet's father with her two daughters.

News • 20 Oct 2022

Janet's story

“My husband and I decided that we wanted to contribute to causes that are important to our family. We sat down with our two daughters, who are in their twenties, to talk about causes we are connected to and passionate about."

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Gift governance

Graph

News • 26 Apr 2021

Review of the Year 2020

In 2020, our amazing community gave a record amount of philanthropic support to assist students, researchers and community programs at the University of Newcastle.

Pen, pencil, phone and computer keyboard with printed graphs on paper

News • 8 Apr 2020

Review of the Year 2019

A look at the impact of your generosity in 2019

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