Earlier this year, we let the wider community know of the impact COVID-19 is having on our students and our creation of the Matthew Flinders Scholarship program to provide emergency financial relief. As the pandemic endures, the economic toll on students is continuing beyond the short term with high levels of unemployment and under-employment.

To date we have seen an unprecedented response from our community, with more than $545,000 already donated by alumni, University Council members, friends and over 150 Flinders staff members to directly support our students.

We have also raised approximately $2,700 for the University’s Indigenous Scholarship Fund through donations and the sale of more than 170 lapel pins that commemorate the launch of our INNOVATE Flinders University Reconciliation Plan (RAP). The pin designs feature tile artwork outside of the University’s Yunggorendi First Nations Centre at Bedford Park campus, as a visual symbol of our commitment to the RAP.

Flinders University extends a huge thank you to everyone supporting our students in this challenging time, and to those who have donated to the program.

Today is the last day of the financial year. If you are considering making an end of financial year tax-deductible gift, please consider either the Matthew Flinders Scholarship Fund or the Indigenous Scholarship Fund as an option to help some of our students in greatest need.