The event celebrated the extraordinary achievements of Founders Pat Burke OAM and Gillian Hund OAM and their unwavering belief in the power of collective philanthropy. Gillian will soon be stepping away from her board role and was given a moving tribute by Pat, who also acknowledged the contribution of all members in the Foundation’s success and the support of Lord Mayors Charitable Foundation as a trailblazing Giving Circle.

Attendees heard from Cat Fay (founding member and social investment specialist at Perpetual Limited) who shared remarkable stories of unsung Australian women in philanthropy and from Kate Fazio (member and impact advisor) who helped inspire some of the innovative work of Justice Connect, a past grantee.

The Melbourne Women’s Foundation has touched the lives of Melbourne women in innumerable ways, most recently with grants to The Prison Network and St Kilda Gatehouse who offered members a progress report.

The event was a celebration of people united by purpose to make a meaningful difference in the lives of women and families. It was also a wonderful opportunity for members to connect. As always, conversation was rich, food delicious and the atmosphere inspiring.

Thank you, Sue Coonan, for this reflection.

Prison Network Recovery Program Impact 

Prison Network received our $80,000 grant in November 2023 for their Recovery Program.  The Program facilitates a fortnightly peer support group for women released from prison, helping them to develop protective factors to help mitigate and reduce the risk of family violence, substance misuse and re-incarceration. In addition, the peer support includes a phone-based chat group enabling regular/daily connection, encouragement, accountability and support among the participants.

Amelia Pickering, CEO of Prison Network, emphasised the crucial role of social connection in recovery. “For many women, the Recovery Program is the first time they have felt a sense of belonging and connection, often leading to a desire to give back and help others.’ The group recently participated in a charity event to raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation.

The Program is supporting the women to build their self-confidence, strengthen social and relational abilities and is reducing recidivism.

“I was released on the Tuesday and attended my first recovery support meeting on the following Monday. My goodness, what an amazing support. Not only to me, but to all the women in this group. Each fortnight, we have discussions that each of the women take turns to run. This is so valuable as it gives each of us some responsibility. We need to plan, we need to make sure it is suitable and each week we never fail to learn. The support to one another is phenomenal.”

“Every month we have a get-together. This means so much, a lot of the girls don’t have a social life, don’t have family, don’t have friends and the excitement about when and where the next outing gives me such a big smile on my face.

This group also helps us all not to reoffend as we are all accountable to one another. With their help and guidance, we all accept where we have been and where we are going.”
Recovery Program participant.

On Thursday, 25 October 2024 the Melbourne Women’s Foundation membership collectively awarded an unprecedented $165,000 to six nonprofits that are making a significant difference for local women and families. The evening was filled with energy, driven by a shared commitment to collective giving.

WomenCAN received the $85,000 Capacity Building Grant for its innovative Driving to Employment Program, aimed at helping 20 women secure driving licenses for truck and bus driving positions. Beyond training, WomenCAN provides participants with opportunities to find employment with vetted transport providers.

In a delightful surprise during the evening, Di Williams, Founder and Managing Director of Fernwood Fitness and Melbourne Women’s Foundation Life Member, presented WomenCAN with an additional $10,000 donation for their program.

PartnerSPEAK was granted $45,000 through the Enabling Grant for their peer support and advocacy work with non-offending partners and family members affected by child sexual abuse and exploitation material.

Wellsprings for Women, United Housing Cooperative, Meals with Impact, and Women’s Circus each received a Spotlight Award of $10,000 in recognition of their efforts to support and
empower women and families in Melbourne.

The new expo-style format was a success, creating a relaxed, engaging, and rewarding atmosphere for attendees and nonprofits to connect.

“Introducing Digital Inclusion” on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, shed light on the barriers, issues, and opportunities to bridge the digital divide. The panel discussion and Q&A focused on the impact on women and families in our community and explored opportunities for action and collaboration in a world increasingly driven by technology,

Kate Fazio, a Social Impact and Legal Consultant, highlighted the dual aspects of digital inclusion. “On one hand, there’s the disadvantage of people not being able to access information and services online, while on the other hand, there are safety risks related to the misuse of personal details and tech-based harassment or threats.”

To address these challenges, Nicky Dulfer, Senior Lecturer at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, emphasised the need for government and organisations to understand the end user of technology when creating information online for our diverse community.

In addition, Iffrin Fittock, CEO of Sisterworks, encouraged the audience to help bridge the gap in the digital knowledge divide and volunteer within our neighbourhoods to teach women computer, internet, or other technology skills. Furthermore, Ifrin suggested donating ‘old’ (3-5 years) computers to organisations that can repurpose and pass them on to people who otherwise would not be able to buy them.

Panellist Uzma Rubab, Director Celebrating and Conserving Cultures encouraged attendees to “Look around, extend a hand and see where you can help. What we want is a connected, accepting, and respectful society.”

It was a fantastic evening that created valuable connections and actionable learning.

Our learning events are an example of a community coming together with a common purpose of investing in the wellbeing of Melbourne women and families in need. Thank you to our distinguished panellists:

• Uzma Rubab Director, Celebrating and Conserving Cultures
• Ifrin Fittock CEO, Sisterworks
• Kate Fazio Social Impact and Legal Consultant, formerly Justice Connect
• Nicky Dulfer Senior Lecturer, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne and co-author of Understanding Digital Inequality: an analysis of unequal connectivity in Carlton Housing Estate, Melbourne 2022

Thanks also to our generous host, Canva for welcoming us in their vibrant and inviting office in Collingwood.

Thank you to the delicious food provided and served by Free to Feed and photography provided by Fotografa AU.

LINKS

• Research paper: Understanding Digital Inequality: an analysis of unequal connectivity in Carlton Housing Estate, Melbourne 2022 https://socialequity.unimelb.e…
• Celebrating and Conserving Cultures https://3ccc.org.au/
• SisterWorks https://sisterworks.org.au/
• Free to Feed https://www.freetofeed.org.au/
• Find a Neighbourhood House in your local area https://www.nhvic.org.au/find-a-neighbourhood-house

Computer donations

• www.computerbank.org.au/ or www.infoxchange.org/au

Contact the ESafety Commissioner if you need help with distressing online content

• https://www.esafety.gov.au/

Our giving circle is the proud recipient of the 2023 Philanos Spotlight Award!

This award is a tribute to our partnership and impactful grant to Women and Mentoring (WAM). Our inaugural $60,000 grant in 2015 was a catalyst which allowed WAM to expand their vital mentorship program and secure additional government backing.

The Award was presented at the PowerUP! Baltimore 2023 Conference and accepted via video. It symbolizes the uplift that our giving circle members, collectively and individually, have enabled through steadfast support and commitment to meaningful change. Together, we’re a formidable powerhouse of transformation.

The success of WAM, with 80% of women not reoffending, inspires us to think of the crucial ripple effect of our grants have in uplifting the lives Melbourne women and families.

We are thrilled to announce that we have officially launched Melbourne Women’s Foundation, formerly known as Melbourne Women’s Fund!

We recently evolved into an independent charity, transitioning from being a subfund within Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation.

Under our new identity, Melbourne Women’s Foundation (ABN 14 666 061 678), our dedication remains unwavering to supporting Melbourne women and families in need by using the power of collective giving.

This shift opens doors to additional revenue streams, such as workplace giving and direct donations from philanthropic entities. It’s a significant step toward sustaining our long-term ability to make an even greater impact.

If you wish to join as a member, renew your membership, or make a donation you can now do so directly through the Melbourne Women’s Foundation website. Because we are a DGR 1, both your membership donation and accompanying administration fee are tax-deductible.

We are thrilled to announce that we have officially launched Melbourne Women’s Foundation, formerly known as Melbourne Women’s Fund!

We recently evolved into an independent charity, transitioning from being a subfund within Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation.

Under our new identity, Melbourne Women’s Foundation (ABN 14 666 061 678), our dedication remains unwavering to supporting Melbourne women and families in need by using the power of collective giving.

This shift opens doors to additional revenue streams, such as workplace giving and direct donations from philanthropic entities. It’s a significant step toward sustaining our long-term ability to make an even greater impact.

If you wish to join as a member, renew your membership, or make a donation you can now do so directly through the Melbourne Women’s Foundation website. Because we are a DGR 1, both your membership donation and accompanying administration fee are tax-deductible.