Our Community
Engagement with the community has always been a feature and strength of Kangan Institute, because strengthening our partnerships with the community is a strategic priority.
We engage with our community in 3 main ways:
- Pro bono - people working for the community as part of their job
- Support for partners and staff projects
- Donations (Philanthropy) - the Institute currently allocates a budget of $100,000 for this fund. It is only one aspect of our extensive support for our community.
All of Kangan Institute's thirty-eight departments are involved in community projects, many of which are collaborative efforts between departments. In 2009, we are recognizing staff contributions through Community Ambassadors. Each department will nominate at least one Ambassador to be the communication link between the Institute, their department and the community they serve. Some of the current Ambassadors are:
- Alan Bolton - CIKA (Cancer in Kids at RCH)
- Christine Tully - Sue Betten's Science Scholarship
- Debra Stearman - Lort Smith Hospital and the Alannah & Madeline Foundation
- Julie McClimont - Lort Smith Hospital and the Alannah & Madeline Foundation
- Kirsten Svendsen - Friends of Aielu (East Timor)
- Lorant Stary - Lighthouse Foundation
- Lynn Langshaw - Lions Club of Coburg
- Maria Celano - Lions Club of Glenroy
- Mary Sullivan - Corpus Christi Community Greenvale Inc
- Odile Higgins - Bahay Tuluyan (Philippines)
- Rob Apps - West Richmond Primary School
- Tammy Wojcik - Helen O'Grady Drama Academy
- Mark Robinson - Holland Foundation
- Glenda Williamson - Bushfire Appeal
- Karen Gill - Bushfire Appeal
- Lynette Stanyer - Bras for Fiji Women (fight against breast cancer)
- Eileen Tisler - Pink Ribbon (fight against breast cancer)
Kangan Institute supports organisations locally and internationally, and some of Kangan Institute's main projects include:
The Holland Foundation
The Melbourne-based Holland Foundation provides a broad range of social welfare programs, and focuses on poverty, child abuse, sickness, grief, homelessness, health and education. The Holland Foundation provides scholarships and awards to Kangan Institute students, while Kangan Institute supports the Foundation by donating textbooks, computer desks and other education-related items for distribution by the Foundation.
Community Building Grants
Kangan Institute and The Holland Foundation provides staff and students the opportunity to increase their community involvement through the "Community Building Grants" project. These grants of up to $1000 can assist with the development of existing or new community projects and programs. Grants are approved by a committee and priority is given to local projects, focused on vocational education and involving a number of staff or students.
All staff and students are invited to participate in this exciting project. To apply for a community building grant please complete the application form.
Kangan Institute staff members also contribute voluntarily to professional and community organisations, many of which are directly related to their work; for example, in working with Indigenous Australians. As a result, Kangan Institute has become involved in community projects through the inter-relationships of its staff and their communities. The Institute supports staff work in the community by matching fundraising amounts, profiling events and activities to its broad staff and student base.
Friends of Aileu (Timor Leste)
Kangan Institute works with the City of Moreland and Hume to support Timor Leste. We provide Scholarships and funds to help with projects with in-country partners. We conduct joint activities and support community events like trivia nights, study tours by Timorese partners and local festivals. Friends of Aileu Walkathon takes place in October each year at the Westmeadows Reserve. Last year $3,200 was raised in aid to the Aileu community. Information on this year's walkathon will be available on this site. Everyone is welcome to participate.
Bahay Tuluyan (Philippines)
There are four Bahay Tuluyan Centres in different regions in the Philippines, which provide programs to empower abused and exploited children. Funding for this project is shared among the Rotary Club of Essendon, the Rotary Club of Manila, Rotary International and Kangan Institute. Kangan Institute assists the RCE to raise funds for Bahay Tuluyan projects for training Filipino children to be junior health workers, the provision of emergency and temporary shelter and giving disadvantaged children the opportunity to go to school.
Kangan Institute and the Rotary Club of Essendon's fundraising cocktail party in August 2008 raised $18,000 for Bahay Tuluyan.
International Scholarships
In 2008 the Community Engagement funded two scholarships for Kangan Institute International Students in earthquake affected areas. Staff indicated (in the community survey) that they wished the Institute to support international projects for Kangan Institute international student's home countries. The 2008 scholarship was awarded to two students of Nantong Textile Vocational Technology College from the 2008 intake. The scholarships, each of the value of CNY16,000 (AUD$3,500) which equals to the first year tuition fee, were presented to the winners by Mr. Richard Turnbull, Interim CEO and Mr. Wang Yi, President of NTVTC at the opening ceremony held on 18th November 2008. The scholarships were presented to Chen Yuhui and Wang Min.
For a comprehensive report on our community initiatives, see our latest annual report.
