The Awards Presentation held in October 2008 saw another six extremely talented young Australians receive scholarships to travel, study and work overseas. This brings the total of scholarships awarded to this date to 303 from all around Australia. A very impressive ceremony was held in the function room of the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce with the presentations being made by the Governor of Victoria, Professor David De Kretser AC. Our grateful thanks go to the VACC for hosting the presentation function.
A core value of the Australian Overseas Foundation is that we are vitally interested in the education development and leadership potential of young Australians. We believe that industry skills gained through overseas work experience additionally develop independence, confidence and cultural awareness. By the awarding of these scholarships we are achieving these values. By receiving one of these scholarships our awardees are on the way to achieving these values.
We would like to express our appreciation to the many organizations who have supported us and made it possible to award scholarships. Our grateful thanks go to the following:
- The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce
- The Department of Education Employment and Work Place Relations
- The Master Builders' Association of Victoria
- Lyons Construction Geelong Group Training Australia
- G. Force Recruitment Geelong Australian Technical College Gordon Institute of TAFE Geelong ATEL Wodonga
- Jewellers' Association of Victoria
- Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- WAW Credit Union Albury Southern Vale Homes Albury
We also express appreciation to the Department of Innovation Industry and Regional Development for their generous grant. The Alumni of the Foundation, the VOFA Geelong Branch and the VOFA National Branch have continued with their valuable support during the year. Our thanks also go to Spectrum Printworks for their assistance with our printing requirements. The commitment shown by the supporters of the Foundation in helping to promote skills in industry is to be applauded and is vital to the success of the AOF.
Both the Geelong Regional Support Group and the Albury Wodonga Support Group have remained active throughout the year and we again express our thanks to each of these groups for their dedication to industry. To recognise the winners from the Geelong Region the Mayor of the City of Geelong, Cr. Bruce Harwood hosted a reception for Hollie Tomlin and Matthew Milburn and extended congratulations from the City.
WorldSkills Australia has once again been of great assistance in providing us with suitable applicants from around Australia. We express thanks to WorldSkills and C.E.O. Mark Callahan for their continued involvement in many ways.
The Board has continued to pursue the status of Deductible Gift Recipient recognition with the Australian Tax Office and has this year established a separate Public Fund for the purpose of accounting for special gifts. The Constitution of the Foundation has been reworded to include a clause relating to the control of this fund. Further application for DGR status is being made.
In order to further promote the AOF and what it is achieving and to attract more industry support the Board has established a Marketing Committee and has produced a new updated brochure and will shortly be producing a DVD for promotional purposes.
All Directors have served in a voluntary capacity and have met on a regular two-monthly basis plus special meetings when required. The Board wishes to acknowledge with grateful thanks the hard work put in by CEO John Bieske to place awardees in positions overseas and to monitor their progress — not an easy task by any means.
We were saddened during the year by the death of our former Chairman, Ian Hopper. Ian was a past scholarship winner having been awarded his scholarship in 1959. Ian has been associated with the VOFA since his return from overseas and served for many years as a Director and Chairman of the AOF. Ian's contribution to the development of skills in young people and to the Australian Overseas Foundation is greatly appreciated and he will be sadly missed.
The AOF wishes to thank Toyota Australia for making available first class meeting facilities in Port Melbourne for the conduct of regular Board meetings. Thanks also to the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce for providing an excellent venue and telephone facilities for the conducting of interviews.
I wish to express my personal thanks to the members of the Board who give their time on a voluntary basis and for their dedication to recognising achievement and developing excellence.
Tom Thorpe OAM
Chairman