Westpac Scholars

Each year, our five philanthropic foundations invest over $10 million in job creation, nurturing next generation leaders and supporting young people facing challenges. ✨   As we merge with the Westpac Group account in the coming days, we’re excited to enhance our impact together and drive positive change in the communities we support.   Learn more about our foundations 🔗 https://lnkd.in/grW8XHGa   #DoingGoodIsInOurDNA #Community #Impact #WestpacScholarsTrust

🔍 Did you know that charitable giving in Australia has declined in the last decade? Brianna Kerr, 2020 Westpac Future Leaders Scholar and founder of Five Bucks, shares her insights on this decline and her hopes of revitalising philanthropy in Australia. Through Five Bucks, members contribute just $5 a week, with the hope that small contributions can lead to massive change. 🙌   Read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/gzdwCFjc

Did you know Westpac Scholars Trust is part of a family of five philanthropic organisations that are determined to build better futures for all Australians? In the last decade, the foundations have contributed $90 million toward job creation, next generation leaders, and young people facing challenges. To continue championing our collective impact and deliver even greater awareness of #WestpacScholarsTrust, we’ll be merging our LinkedIn account with Westpac Group in the coming weeks. Thanks for your ongoing support! #DoingGoodIsInOurDNA #Community #Impact

Do you know a Year 12 student looking to pursue further studies in STEM? The Applications for the 2025 Westpac Young Technologists Scholarship are now open. This unique opportunity offers high school graduates passionate about a career in STEM: ✓ Up to $20,000 to support their tertiary studies and expenses ✓ A weeklong trip to Singapore to participate in a Disruptive Leaders Program ✓ Mentoring and networking opportunities If you know someone who might be interested, encourage them to join the Westpac Scholars online information session on Thursday, 26 September at 5:00pm AEST to learn about eligibility, funding, application tips, hear from past scholars, and participate in a live Q&A. 👉 Register for the info session: https://lnkd.in/gJWzH_Ei Applications close 5:00pm AEST, January 13, 2025. To find out more visit the Westpac Scholars website: https://lnkd.in/gzciiQMZ

In honour of #RUOKDAY2024, 2020 Westpac Social Change Fellow Rosie Thomas OAM & Co-Founder of PROJECT ROCKIT, a Bank of Melbourne Foundation community partner, reflects on the challenges and opportunities young people face in the evolving digital age 📱✨ For over 18 years, Project ROCKIT has helped over 600,000 young Australians in addressing online bullying and are committed to turning digital platforms into powerful tools for positive action. Read the full article 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gqx5UntP

Curious to know where a Young Technologists Scholarship could take you? 🤔 Meet Emma Tsang, a Young Tech Scholar studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Mechatronics and Robotics, who is applying her skills at Westpac Growth Labs through groundbreaking quantum computing experiments. Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/gsqJgQ6Z Apply for the Young Tech scholarship and register for our online information session 👉 https://lnkd.in/eUtYtK-u

We are thrilled to announce that the winner of the 2024 Helen Lynch AM Leadership Award is Social Change Fellow, Luke Terry🎉 As a serial social entrepreneur and CEO of White Box Enterprises, Luke has been selected from the W100 network of 830 Scholars for his immense commitment to creating a more inclusive Australia. "I've been incredibly impressed with Luke's service to Australia and his courage and drive to lift the social enterprise sector," said Helen Lynch. “Luke’s massive heart and abundance of energy are matched by a bold vision to ensure that every person in Australia struggling to find a job has a pathway to employment through social enterprise. It’s a commendable vision, and I’m thrilled that we can continue to play a role in supporting Luke’s leadership growth.” His organisation, White Box Enterprises, has created more than 800 jobs for people experiencing disadvantage. Additionally, businesses created by White Box Enterprises include Australian Spatial Analytics, Beacon Laundry, and Civik, each contributing to the overarching goal of creating 5,000 jobs by 2030 for people who face complex barriers to work. Congratulations, Luke! 🙌 Learn more about Luke's incredible contributions➡https://lnkd.in/geY-JeRq #WestpacScholar #SocialChangeFellow #HelenLynchAward

Meet 2021 Westpac Research Fellow, Synthetic Chemist and Lecturer at The Australian National University Dr Lara Malins 👋 🔬 With her recent advancements in using cutting-edge chemistry to combat the imminent threat of resistant bacteria, Dr Malin's innovative research is helping to protect the well-being of all Australians. This #ScienceWeek, reflect with Dr Malins on the key motivators in her decision-making to apply for the Westpac Research Fellowship. Full story 👉 https://bit.ly/3WEL64F

When Matt Damon drove his rover across the vast dunes of Mars in the 2015 movie 'The Martian', it ignited a spark in one of our scholar alumni. 💡 To mark #ScienceWeek, Westpac Scholar and Astra Program Director Georgi Coddington discusses her interstellar initiative that's helping students dive into cutting-edge research and connect with Australia's growing space industry. 🚀 🌟 Read the full article ➡ https://lnkd.in/gGFjnG9h  

Just like the #Olympics, we couldn’t be prouder of our team of Scholars representing us during their immersions in Singapore! 👏 🔷 During the 2024 Westpac Asian Exchange Leadership Development Residential, our Asian Exchange Scholars excelled in the key areas of cultural competency, economics, technology, diplomacy, and leadership. With over 25 sessions, 35 speakers, and 10 venues, their achievements are truly inspiring. 🥇 🔷 26 of our 2023 Young Technologists tackled real-world challenges in the Young Technologists Disruptive Leaders Program, honing their skills in technology, innovation, and leadership over a rigorous 4-day program. 🙌 Go Team Scholars!