Why I donate
"We chose to donate through the University of Newcastle because of our close association with both Newcastle and the University."
Whilst I grew up in Western Sydney and studied medicine at the University of Sydney, Sue grew up in Newcastle and we have now lived here for over 40 years. Our three sons studied at the University and are very successful in their chosen careers.
Matthew graduated in Aviation Science; Nicholas in Medicine and Mikhail in Environmental Science and Management. Sue worked as an academic in both the Faculty of Nursing and the Faculty of Health and Medicine for 25 years, teaching students in the health professions. Sue also completed her PhD through the University of Newcastle.
We are both from working class backgrounds (Sue was first in family to attend university) and benefitted greatly from free university education in the 1970s – no debt at graduation! We are very aware of economic hurdles to tertiary education, and although we had to work to support ourselves during our studies, we feel deeply privileged to have had this assistance.
We have a long-held passion for action to protect our environment with many decades of supporting organisations such as the Australian Conservation Foundation, World Wildlife Fund, Wilderness Society and more recently Doctors for the Environment. Our environment is sadly undervalued and its critical importance for our health and wellbeing is poorly appreciated.
We considered supporting students in Medicine, given our careers in this area. However, we decided the importance of finding effective strategies to avoid adverse, possibly catastrophic, environmental damage, which includes public health, is paramount. The outcomes for our children and grandchildren, and indeed ALL children of the future make this a priority.
We hope that our passion can be translated into meaningful outcomes through our donation, and that we can assist students financially to be able to study in this field of environmental sustainability, perhaps to complete a project that they may not have had funds to progress.
We also hope our passion may inspire students to choose and value projects within the area of sustainability, and that others in the community who are in a position to do so might also consider creating a scholarship."
- Andrew Zdenkowski and Sue Outram (PhD, 2002), Donors to The Andrew Zdenkowski & Sue Outram Environmental Sustainability Scholarship
Nicholas Zdenkowski (BMed, 2005; GC Clin Ep, 2013; GD Clin Ep, 2014), Wren Zdenkowski, Andrew Zdenkowski, Sue Outram (PhD, 2002), and Mikhail Zdenkowski (BEnScMgt, 2012); inset: Matthew Zdenkowski (BSc (Aviation), 1992; DipAvSc, 1991).
If you are interested in establishing an undergraduate or PhD scholarship, please contact Lenita on 02 4921 8612 or email donor-relations@newcastle.edu.au
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Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
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.