Intercollegiate Challenge
As part of the Student Appeal, we ran an Intercollegiate Challenge challenging each College to raise the maximum amount possible for the Appeal, and celebrating each College's fundraising efforts. See how your college performed…
>> Visit the Intercollegiate Challenge page.
Rent Assistance Campaign
All proceeds raised by the Student Appeal go directly to benefit other students in need. Housing stress impacts negatively on students’ well-being, ability to study and living a normal life. Funds raised by the Student Appeal go directly to support Student Financial Aid Housing Grants. These grants are means tested and are worth $500 and have the ability to enable a student to keep studying at University by easing the financial burden they are facing. This is evidenced in a message received recently from recipient whose grant was funded by the 2008 Student Appeal:
To the Student Appeal,
I’m writing to say thank you for the grant I received earlier on this year. As a university student I find it hard to find the balance between work and study. Due to poor health I was unable to work causing this balance to tip, leaving me struggling to pay for my accommodation. The grant supplied by the Student Appeal enabled me to get back on track and back to my study.
Thanks again,
A University Student
To read through more recipient quotes, please visit this page.
This year, the University’s Student Financial Aid Services received over 1,200 applications for rental assistance, though they only had sufficient funds for around 300 grants. If we can raise $10,000 we can create at least $500 rental assistance grants for twenty students. $500 can go a long way to help a student with their rent.
In 2008, the Student Appeal raised over $3,500 to support seven new Student Financial Aid Rent Assistance Grants, which was fantastic. Thank you to everyone who made a donation, volunteered on campus or spread the word to friends in 2008.
Click here to view an article written about the Rent Assistance Campaign on the Student Zone website.
For further information about rentals assistance grants and other forms of financial aid, please refer to the Student Financial Aid website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/finaid/
Thank You Event
The Student Appeal Thank You Event for 2009 was held on the evening of Wednesday 28th October in the Student Union and was attended by some 50 guests including donors, volunteers, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Glyn Davis and Deputy Vice Chancellor, University Affairs, Prof. Warren Bebbington. Prof Davis was most delighted with the increased level of donor and volunteers participation at the University for the Appeal. Jimmy Dang (one of the Appeal Co-Chairs) and Jessie Abiuda Mitir (student volunteer and financial aid recipient) both made heartfelt speeches thanking everyone and spoke of their reasons for being involved in the Appeal.
The Student Appeal Leadership Committee wish to thank everyone who has made this year’s Student Appeal so successful.
Jimmy Dang's speech
Jessie Mitir's speech

View a photo gallery of the Thank You Event for 2009
Why philanthropy matters
The Student Appeal aims to support other students but also seeks to build awareness of the University’s need for philanthropic support. Ask yourself what the three things below have in common:
- Are you a scholarship student?
- Do you use the Baillieu Library or Beaurepaire Centre?
- Have classes in the Sidney Myer Asia Centre?
All were made possible through acts of philanthropy — gifts and donations to the University of Melbourne.
The University relies on these philanthropic gifts. Did you know funding provided by the Federal Government is less than half of what the University actually needs to operate?
Volunteering
As well as making a difference to the lives of fellow students who are finding it tough to pay their rent, as a volunteer you will also gain experience in fundraising skills which are fast becoming an important part of various industries in Australia.
Volunteers for the Student Appeal will receive training and support from the Student Appeal Leadership Committee. Those who commit 4 hours or more to the Appeal will receive an Appeal T-shirt and a certificate of participation.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer and helping fellow students, please complete an online application form and email to student-appeal@unimelb.edu.au.
Have a look at our photos page of this year’s Student Appeal volunteers and Leadership Committee members.

Please click here to view the rest of the gallery.
Further Information
If you are interested in being involved in or have further questions about the 2009 Student Appeal, or wish to provide feedback so we can run more successful future Student Appeals, please contact Andrew Deane on 8344 1747 or by email adeane@unimelb.edu.au.
If you would like to make a donation to the 2009 Student Appeal please click here. |