Give to Change

At Curtin, our dedicated staff are more than just educators; they are often the catalysts for change. Staff volunteering or giving through Give to Change help unlock opportunities that positively shape our students’ educational experience and inspire community initiatives that foster courageous conversations and lifelong learning.

Let’s work together to make tomorrow better. Join the Give to Change community today.

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It has been said that the greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members. This unit of measurement is the only one that accurately weighs the generosity of our Give to Change community. By donating, volunteering, or both, you are able to support programs that are close to your heart, turning your values and care into action, meaningfully impacting our students and community.

Give to Change is our staff giving program. If you are not a current staff member and would like to learn about our program and how you can get involved, please visit our Curtin Friends page.

Why join Give to Change?

When we work together on a shared goal, the impact can be profound. Thanks to our dedicated staff supporters, we have been able to see how small, regular giving has the power to create lasting opportunities for students and community programs. For instance, when five Curtin staff members contribute $20 from their fortnightly pay for a whole year, those five staff members are able to create a Sally Webster Hardship Bursary, enabling a student experiencing financial hardship to continue their studies.

310 staff

The Give to Change community brings together staff donors, volunteers, and a special group of members who contribute to both.

25 students

The Give to Change community supported 25 students with scholarships last year.

880 hours

The Give to Change community contributed an incredible 880 hours of volunteering last year.
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Your impact in action

Aldan Clinch

Curtin Cares about Students Equity Scholarship recipient, formerly known as Curtin Staff Funded Scholarship
Environmental Science and former ITEC (Prison) student

With the knowledge I learn through my degree, and the knowledge I have of my Aboriginal heritage, I am going to help build a better future for Australia that is ecocultural and environmentally sustainable.

Debs Broad

Curtin Cares about Students Equity Scholarship recipient
Master of Arts (Creative Writing)

I want to express my gratitude for being selected for the scholarship. It will make a great difference to my mental health and my ability to devote my time to my studies fully. This scholarship will enable me to focus on creating written works that open minds and alter many cultural assumptions, such as covert racism, discrimination and sexism. I intend to give disempowered women a voice in society; these voices are taken away by discrimination and domestic violence.

Caitlin Kotula

Student Professional Development Grant recipient
Master of Arts (Creative Writing)

I’ve been invited to attend the Fall Into Focus residency at Arteles Creative Center in Finland, which you are generously supporting through this Professional Development Grant. I am deeply grateful for the generosity of the Give to Change Program, whose support makes this journey more accessible through the Professional Development Grant. Thank you for believing in my vision and helping me turn this opportunity into a reality.

Lilli Radley

Planet Positive Scholarship recipient
Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science)

This scholarship is important to me as it will help me achieve my goals in helping the environment and taking part in the fight against climate change. The scholarship will hopefully allow me to make contacts with people in the industry who may help me with my goals for the future. I am very grateful to be given this opportunity which will help me achieve my career goals and allow me to do something I am passionate about.

Patrick Catambay

Curtin Staff Funded Scholarship recipient
Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) & Bachelor of Commerce (Finance)

I truly appreciate the support that you have given me, and the support that you have given to the other recipients for ‘Give to Change.’ Thank you for being an important part of our journeys so far. A lot of the time, I feel so out of my depth, but I am motivated to continue to do what I’m doing because I want to learn, grow, and make a meaningful difference for others and create the world I want to live in. Environmental sustainability, technology, and action is an important part of that.

Cindy Dombroski

Allison Taylor Single Mum Scholarship recipient
Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education)

After everything my health journey taught me, I know I must honour myself more and pace myself, but I was about to go against it all to keep us financially afloat.
This scholarship saves me from that choice. Without it, I would need that second job and to reduce to part-time study. Your support enables me to finish my degree, finally earn a decent wage, and pursue my dream of teaching. My appreciation for Allison’s profound thoughtfulness is immense.
From the depths of my heart, thank you so much.

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A portrait image of the testimonial author

Message from the Chief Advancement Officer

I am continually inspired by the Give to Change community and their ongoing dedication to supporting the programs that are truly changing the lives of our students and shaping the future of our university. I was motivated to support Give to Change because I wanted to be part of an incredible collective of staff who are a driving force for positive change at Curtin.

– John Fitzgerald, Chief Advancement Officer

Already contributing to Give to Change? Your support enables Curtin to be a beacon of inclusivity, where everyone finds their place and thrives! You can find regular staff volunteering opportunities and update your Give to Change support through the Staff Portal, so that your contributions are always best aligned to the areas where you want to make a positive impact.

Foster change at Curtin

You can support the Curtin community through any of the funds of greatest need listed below. Update your giving preferences on the staff donation portal, or explore the various volunteering opportunities available to staff.

Curtin Cares About Students Equity Scholarship

Curtin Cares About Students Equity Scholarship

The Curtin Cares about Students Equity Scholarship ensures we can foster a more inclusive educational environment that empowers all students to not just survive but thrive. The scholarship provides financial support to students facing financial hardship, coming from disadvantaged backgrounds, and/or identifying as being in an equity group.

curtin staff member sally webster

Sally Webster Hardship Fund

This in-memory bursary fund celebrates Sally Webster’s spirit of advocacy for disadvantaged students at Curtin. It offers a lifeline to those facing urgent and overwhelming financial burdens that threaten to halt their university dreams.

Student Professional Development Grant

Student Professional Development Grant

The Student Professional Development Grant empowers students to pursue experiential learning opportunities that would otherwise be financially out of reach. These experiences not only deepen students’ understanding of their field but also foster personal and professional growth.

Other ways you can make an impact

Volunteer

Volunteer

Support the Curtin community through a variety of volunteer opportunities available throughout the year.

MYS yorga's

Moorditj Yorga Scholarship Program (MYS)

The MYS Scholarship supports mature-aged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to embark on and thrive in their tertiary education journey with Curtin.

Allison Taylor Single Mum Scholarship

Allison Taylor Single Mum Scholarship

The Allison Taylor Single Mum Scholarship will alleviate the financial burden for single mums in need by empowering them with financial support and resources as they pursue their degrees at Curtin.

Planet Positive

Planet Positive

The Planet Positive Program ensures students from all fields of study are able to access the education and skills required to tackle the environmental crisis.

Bridging the Gap

Bridging the Gap

Bridging the Gap: Indigenous Tertiary Enabling Course (ITEC) provides mentoring, career development, and a specialised short course for Indigenous students, fostering their academic skills and confidence for a successful transition into undergraduate studies.

The Carrolup Centre for Truth-telling

The Carrolup Centre for Truth-telling

The Carrolup Centre for Truth-telling will provide a dedicated home for the Carrolup collection, sharing the stories and voices of the children from the Stolen Generations.

John Curtin Gallery

John Curtin Gallery

The John Curtin Gallery actively uplifts the voices of talented artists and creates opportunities to shape a better future through the transformative power of art.

FAQs

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Connect

If you have any questions about Give to Change or how staff can support programs at Curtin, please get in touch.
give@curtin.edu.au
+61 8 9266 9255

Give to Change Artwork

Rickiesha Deegan, Give to Change, 2020, graphic design.

Learn more

Patrick Catambay

My name is Patrick – I was born in the Philippines, and my family moved to Australia when I was six years old. We moved around a couple of times, but I did most of my growing up in Karratha. It’s a small regional town in the North of Western Australia, and there wasn’t much to do outside of school besides playing sports and hanging out, but I loved it.

I started studying at Curtin in 2018, and I’m now nearing the end of my double-degree in Mechanical Engineering and Finance, during which I’ve enjoyed the learning, new experiences, and meeting inspiring people. Over the last few years, I’ve been lucky enough to volunteer with CV! and work with not-for-profit organisations. I’ve also been a part of other people’s journeys while they adjust to being new to Curtin, and I’ve been able to support some of our finest students undertaking the John Curtin Leadership Academy as they work on amazing projects for the community.

Cleo Wee

I have found my first year of full-time clinical placement to be challenging at times but I leave the hospital every day feeling inspired by my colleagues and mentors. The enormous amount of medical knowledge they have mastered is astounding, but what inspires me the most is the way they support their patients with the utmost grace, empathy, and compassion.

Some of my endeavours in the fields of medical education and clinical research include interning at Curtin Community Projects where I was part of a team that raised over $5700 for the Cancer Council and teaching anatomy to first-year medical and medical imaging students as a near-peer mentor.

Despite the stresses and challenges that comes with being a doctor, I cannot think of a job that is more rewarding or satisfying. It is a privilege to care for people in some of their darkest and most challenging moments.

Annabel Biscotto

I come from a small and close-knit Italian-Australian family. My grandparents migrated from Italy in the late 1950s to begin a new life in Australia. They made many sacrifices for their children to have a prosperous life here in this wonderful country and I am fortunate enough to reap the benefits as their grandchild.

Through my position as Equity and Wellbeing Officer on the Australian Law Students’ Association, I am about to release the first Mental Health and Wellbeing Publication which seeks to elevate law student voices on the importance of looking after our mental wellbeing. This is something I am extremely passionate about. I hope this Publication opens the lines of communication for other students who may also be in my position and reduces the stigma surrounding mental health in the legal profession.

Jessie Carter

When I returned to university, it was to enrol in psychology. Juggling chronic health issues, disability, and caring roles, it took me 6.5 years to complete my undergraduate degree part time. I graduated from my undergraduate degree knowing that I wanted, more than anything, to be a psychologist.

Coming from an economically disadvantaged background, I knew I needed to enter the workforce to afford to pursue my Masters. While I worked in non-clinical roles, I leveraged my passion for psychology into roles in state-wide mental health and disability policy and strategic planning. I also had the privilege to work with Aboriginal leaders on initiatives to improve social and emotional wellbeing. While I found this work interesting and fulfilling, my opportunities to work alongside senior clinical staff just reinforced my desire to be engaging in that kind of practice.

Nicole Bushell

I have spent most of the past decade chasing culture, beautiful landscapes and working with children in a variety of contexts along the way. I enrolled in Curtin’s Sport and Exercise Science undergrad with my sights set on Physiotherapy. I had a newfound value of health and wanted to help people engage meaningfully in their lives through pain free movement. I have spent considerable time researching the scope of practice, engaging in work experience, and developing a more holistic understanding of the field.

As I moved into working within school camp settings, I witnessed the effects of children having limited exposure to physical activity at a younger age. I think that eradicating barriers to physical activity and exercise in children is the most impactful and cost-effective preventative measure in promoting positive health outcomes, and wellbeing of a community.

Courtney Hitchcock

From an early age, I discovered my love for psychology and helping others improve their mental health and wellbeing. Through my undergraduate studies, I made an effort to volunteer and work in a range of roles that allowed me to meet, help and learn from a wide range of people and communities. My desire to strive for registration as a psychologist has never faltered and the wonderful experience I have been given through this scholarship will allow me to attend various personal and career development courses outside of university.

I plan to engage in courses that teach me techniques from different therapeutic approaches, such as Emotion Focussed Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Trauma Focussed Yoga. Attending these courses will not only expand my knowledge to help others, but I’m confident will help me to be a better version of myself personally and professionally.

Rebecca Griffin

Since my undergraduate clinical experience at King Edwards Memorial Hospital, I knew pelvic health was an area of physiotherapy I wanted to peruse. I pursued this interest, enrolling in the master’s program where I am majoring in Continence and Women’s Health.

Pelvic Health physios form an important part of the multidisciplinary team, who treat a diverse range of pelvic floor dysfunctions across the lifespan, including but not limited to, managing bladder and bowel health, sexual difficulties, and pelvic pain.

I am located in regional WA and recognise a huge need and scarcity of pelvic health physiotherapy in the area. I am thoroughly enjoying being able to offer and deliver this service here.

Aldan Clinch

I have always had a passion for Caring for Country. To me, Caring for Country encompasses much more than environmental sustainability and management. Caring for Country also means a strong link to cultural identity. Being able to re-connect to my Aboriginal cultural heritage through the engagement of working with Country allows myself to grow, not only as an individual, but also as part of a wider community.

Caring for Country is a multifaceted paradigm, dependent on a whole range of reciprocal and holistic underpinnings. This is why Environmental Science is my chosen field, because it allows me to engage with Country, to study Country, and to help Country – and this is important for me, because this forms part of my story.

Through studying Environmental Science, I will have a scientific understanding about how Country works, and this will allow me to design systems that compliment both Indigenous and Western scientific models. I believe this is very important for Australia because it encourages a constructive and adaptable change that bridges Indigenous and Western scientific knowledge systems, and I believe both Indigenous systems and Western systems have essential elements that need to be included in working models with reference to Caring for Country.

Emma Dennis

I am in the final stages of my undergraduate degree, majoring in Anthropology, Sociology and Geography. I feel that in the field of Social Science, engaging in qualitative research is an opportunity to understand social problems and develop ways for communities to implement preventative measures and strategies for improved outcomes regarding planning for healthy, engaged, vibrant and connected communities.

The work I have done so far has developed my interest in community sustainability practices – socially, environmentally, and economically.

I live in an area of high growth and have seen rapid change and ensuing pressures within my own periphery. I am a parent and want to be part of positive outcomes for the future generations. I am planning to continue with an Honours or Masters research project that allows me to immerse in a community issue to better understand it and find pathways towards growth and solutions that fit with the ideals that I see as important.

Give to Change Artwork

Rickiesha Deegan, Give to Change, 2020, graphic design.

Kariyarra and Nyikina woman and former Curtin staff member Rickiesha Deegan created this piece of art to symbolise the profound connection found within Curtin’s Give to Change community, depicting the positive impact that university staff can achieve when united.