ABOUT

The Invergowrie Foundation – powering potential with the provision of grants for education and career development for girls and women in Victoria.

We are a public charitable trust made possible through the McPherson Family gift of 1933.

The primary focus of the Foundation is to advance the education of girls and women within Victoria.

The Foundation awards grants that make a significant impact enabling access, promoting excellence, advancing leadership, and supporting research.

W E McPherson (1899-1950)

1933

1973

1992

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The Invergowrie Homecraft Hostel

OUR HISTORY

The McPherson Family has played a significant role in industry, public life, and philanthropy in Victoria for well over a century. “Nuts and Bolts”– A story of a family and a firm – by Barbara Hamer, daughter of W. E. McPherson provides an historical account of the McPherson family.

In 1933, Mr W. E. McPherson presented his beautiful home, Invergowrie, to the Headmistresses’ Association for use as a Homecraft Hostel. These large premises in Hawthorn made possible the education of 46 fulltime students (some of whom were in residence) each year. The Hostel was the first of its kind and provided a course of domestic training for girls, under conditions similar to those in the natural setting of the home. Over 2000 students graduated from the Invergowrie Homecraft Hostel before the Governors decided to close the Hostel in 1973.

OUR FORMATION

The Invergowrie Foundation

The Headmistresses’ Association became the Association of Heads of Independent Girls’ Schools of Victoria (AHIGSV) and, in 1992, with the sale of the Invergowrie property The Invergowrie Foundation was established.

The proceeds of that sale have been invested through a Trust and money is made available each year for educational purposes within Victoria.

The Foundation is administered by Trustees who are responsible for maintaining the assets and for the annual distribution of funds to advance the mission of the Foundation.

OUR PEOPLE

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Ms Meg Hansen

M.A.(Hons.), Dip.Tch., FACEL,
FACE, AICD

Former Principal, Westbourne
Grammar School

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Ms Susan Just

B. Arts, Dip. Ed., M. Ed.
Administration, FACEL

Principal, Lauriston
Girls’ School

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Ms Wendy Lewis OAM
Chair

B.Bus (Acc), Dip. Ed., M.Ed.,
MBA,
Grad. Cert. in Philanthropy
and Non Profit Studies,
CPA, GAICD, FAIM

Executive Officer,
Collier Charitable Fund

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Ms Judith Potter

B.A., Grad.Dip.Ed., Grad.Dip.
Ed.Admin., M.Ed

Former Principal,
Loreto College Ballarat

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Mrs Lisa Ronald

Diploma of Private
Secretarial Practice, R.M.I.T

Certificate 3 in Childcare
Studies

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Dr. Anne Sarros

B.A, Dip.Ed., B.Ed., M.Ed.,
Ph.D., MACE

Former Principal,
Firbank Grammar School

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Dr. Heather Schnagl AM

B.Sc.(Hons), Ph.D., Dip.Ed.,
M.Ed., D.Ed.(honoris causa),
FACE, FACEL, MAICD

Former Principal, Ivanhoe
Girls’ Grammar School

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ADMINISTRATION

Ms Kim Bartlett
Chief Executive Officer

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