The 2011 UWA Fogarty Foundation Scholarship recipients were recognised and appluaded by a large audience of distinguished guests, academic leaders, proud parents and families, School Principals and staff and keen onlookers at a formal ceremony held at UWA Winthrop Hall on March 13, 2011.

As each undergraduate scholar received their award, a brief overview of their academic excellence and their community service was outlined. The service to community and humanity at such an early stage in a career is the hallmark of these amazingly capable young leaders as are their achievements at the peak of scholastic excellence. They are now members of the impressive collective of the UWA Fogarty Foundation Scholars.

Front L-R:   Bradley McKernan,   Emma Jones,   Rebecca Long,   Sasha Quahe,   Jeremy Nixon.
Back L-R:   Matthew Goyder,   Jane Bromley,   Michael Taran,   Leela Dilkes-Hoffman.

The Fogarty Foundation Scholars were magnetised by the address given by Andrew O’Hagan on Monday 7th March at UWA Octogon Theatre. Following the public event the UWA Fogarty Foundation scholars met “back stage” for a Fireside chat with Andrew and both the Author and Scholars interacted in an immensely dynamic dialogue with intuitive questions and transformative answers.  

Andrew O’Hagan was able to fuse literature, politics and humanitarianism in his address. 

“From the beginning of his writing career Andrew O’Hagan has pushed at the conventional limits of literary genre, blurring the boundaries between fiction, memoir, documentary and journalism”. Dr Eve Patten 2003.

Roseworth Primary School was officially opened by the Premier of Western Australia in December 2010.

The Hon. Colin Barnett highlighted the building design and faciilities of this new full service model school in a disadvantaged area.

Principal Geoff Metcalf acknowledged the significant role of the Fogarty Foundation and ECU in developing the ECU Fogarty Learning Centre.  The Centre will have an important influence in the development of pre-service teachers at ECU and the staff at Roseworth Primary School.

The Fogarty Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Bowler to the position of Chief Executive Officer.

Peter Bowler is a recognised Property Industry trainer, coach and mentor with over 22 years experience in business operations, property law, market analysis, direct marketing, franchising and State organisational leadership.

Peter has run his own business for over 6 years, managed State operations for Wesfarmers Ltd as Licensee for Wesfarmers Dalgety Real Estate and State Manager franchising for Century 21 Real Estate in WA.

Enhancing brilliant and sustainable business through enriching great and lasting relationships is a hallmark of Peter’s work ethic and presentations. He has worked in Thailand as a Director of an English language initiative and was employed in Melbourne with Monash University as a Philanthropic Campaign Director for the Faculties of Educaton, and Art and Design. While with Monash University Peter attended the CASE conference in Chicago 2008 focussing on Philanthropic Capital campaigns and Major fundraising. More recently Peter has been the Manager, Skillsbank and Alumni Relations for Leadership Western Australia negotiating Board placements and community project management.

Peter’s qualifications include a B.A.Education and he studied Organisational Leadership and behaviour through a Bachelor of Education with Honours program. He also has a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment and is a life member of the REIWA Million Dollar Club.

In supporting community projects in WA, Peter is currently on the Council of Governors of the Y.M.C.A. of Perth Inc., and is a Board Committee of Management member with the Katina Woodruff Children’s Foundation as well as serving as a Freemason with over 26 years experience. He is also a member of the Rotary Club of Crawley.

Scholars (l-r) Ryan, Alex, Neil, Stephanie, Robert, Imogen and Tom

Liaising and meeting with representatives from Woodside, Fortescue Metals Group, Corrective Services, primary and secondary school teachers, indigenous groups and medical practitioners was crowded into a hectic seven days for seven UWA Fogarty scholars. “The trip to the Pilbara was very rewarding” said Alex Thornton, one of the group’s keen organisers. “We certainly broadened our understanding of the issues affecting indigenous and non-indigenous groups in regional West Australia. Steroptypes were completly shattered!! Having an opportunity to meet with people from the health, education, justice and mining sectors clearly illustrated that there is still so much more headway to be made although there are some positive programs already in place.”

With the support of the Fogarty Foundation and the Director of UWA Student Services, the trip was extremely successful and one which the Foundation and UWA can build upon for 2011.

Dr. Hankey, Annie Fogarty and some of the scholars

Dr. Graeme Hankey is one of Australia’s top Neurologist and Head of the Stroke Unit at Royal Perth Hospital, and Clinical Professor at the School of Medicine and Pharmacology at The University of Western Australia. The UWA Fogarty Scholars were extremely fortunate to have a fireside chat with Dr. Hankey.

Dr. Hankey shared his experiences, trials and triumphs with the scholars and discussed any parallels with their lives; discussed the difficult choices he made to pursue his career and encouraged the students to take risks and challenge themselves and society’s ‘views’ on reserach.   The evening concluded with a discerning speech of gratitude from Tom, one of the Fogarty Scholars.

The Fogarty Foundation’s inspired vision to bring NASA Astronaut Andy Thomas to Perth was a resounding success.

Dr. Andy Thomas shared his fascinating experiences,career in space and the future of space travel with 750 primary and secondary school children, science teachers, UWA Fogarty Scholars, the corporate sector and the general public. During the public lecture a successful audio link up to the International Space Station through Argentina enabled Dr Thomas to talk to his astronaut wife, Shannon Walker. Eight secondary school children were also able to ask questions to Dr Shannon Walker on the space station.

A strong supporter of the Square Kilometre Array project in the Murchison, Dr Thomas threw his support behind Western Australia’s bid to be part of one of the largest international projects in history, saying it would have a profound impact on the nation.

Dr Thomas also lamented on Australia’s lack of foreign policy in space and its absence in contributing to the International Space Station. He saw involvement in space as bringing an infusion of technology, resources and skills into Australia and  a source of profound inspiration to young people.

The Fogarty Foundation in collaboration with the University of Western Australia, ICRAR, ABC Radio, Curtin University of Technology, Scitech, Spice, Aspire UWA and the US Department of State were very excited to host Dr. Andy Thomas at the range of events and functions.  

For further information please contact The Fogarty Foundation at info@fogartyfoundation.org.au

John Atkins (C) with scholars Neil Thomas (L) and Thomas Williams (R)

As part of the Leadership Series of Fireside Chats, John Atkins from ANZ challenged the UWA Fogarty Scholars to access and take opportunities, extend and invest in themselves and to access a mentor to mould thinking.

With a wide range of business and community interests and a portfolio of different careers, John emphasised that the basic leadership tenet is the need to bring others along with you as leadership is about change not management of operations. In terms of leadership styles, John went on to say that one can effectively lead from the front, within and from behind with supporting and directive roles.

After successful careers in varying professions, John’s philosophy was to “always do the right thing in the organisation in which you work and to get the moral compass properly set to your values.”

James Lucas, President of the UWA Fogarty Scholars Association, thanked Lavan Legal for their generosity in hosting a function for the UWA Fogarty Scholars. Against the backdrop of the Swan River, Lavan Legal staff and scholars mingled in an informal setting. The function afforded the opportunity for scholars to learn more about life at one of Western Australia’s leading law firms. Greg Gaunt, Managing Partner, spoke about the need for scholars to accept ‘knock backs’ in life as part of the learning environment.

Lavan Legal Managing Partner, Greg Gaunt (left); UWA Fogarty Scholar Alumni and articled clerk at Lavan Legal Jasmine Rhodes; Annie Fogarty, Executive Chair Fogarty Foundation; and James Lucas, President UWA Fogarty Scholars Association.

 Annie & Caitlyn Fogarty (centre) at the Fogarty Learning Centre

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kerry Cox  and the Director of the Fogarty Learning Centre Prof. Deslea Konza provided an insight into the Fogarty Learning Centre (FLC) at the Joondalup Campus of Edith Cowan University (ECU). Guests included Annie and Caitlyn Fogarty from the Foundation and Dr Ken Chern, US Consul General and his wife Ronni. The FLC is an innovative education initiative with a strong collaborative and community focus. FLC researchers excel in the teaching of literacy to both pre-service and postgraduate teachers through the provision of clinical teaching experiences in literacy and numeracy.

FLC also specialises in researching the pedagogy linked to those curriculum areas and fosters both on-site and school site literacy and numeracy coaching for children. Other research areas include learning difficulties, behaviour management and early childhood studies and school effectiveness.

ECU is also establishing a FLC ’outpost’ at the new Roseworth Primary School to forge a closer link with teachers and children in schools and undergraduate and postgraduate teacher education students. A major focus will be improved outcomes for children through research findings.