We have recently seen a shift in the way the Foundation operates focusing on a theme in girls’ education in which we can make some impact. Check out the latest stories making news.
NEWS
ASSISTING
CAREER
DEVELOPMENT
& RESEARCH
LATEST
CHAIR'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025.
Welcome to the Annual Chair’s Report for 2025.
Introduction
Over the last three decades the work of the Foundation has evolved.
Today we work with some of the top universities and organisations in the country to generate new ideas and opportunities that support the Foundation’s mission to advance the education of girls and women in Victoria.
These new ideas and opportunities can be seen in programs that enable girls to have hands-on experiences in STEM, such as Deakin University’s GALS program and the Vicphysics’ Girls in Physics Breakfasts.
Online opportunities are reflected in Monash University’s Virtual School and the collaboration between the University of Melbourne, Deakin University and Swinburne University of Technology in the development of the STEM Hub – STEMeez.
We also fund research into STEM subjects as they relate to the education of girls through the Invergowrie Foundation STEM reports and a focus on providing resources and Professional Learning for primary school teachers through Swinburne University of Technology’s Acorns to Oak Trees work. Funding has also been provided to develop career awareness and pathways in STEM with the AMSI Industry Days for Maths teachers and Career practitioners.
As I reflect on these initiatives, I realise that with the advances in technology our reach is not just in Victoria, but that it can have a much broader audience (the internet is borderless). We are focused on Victoria, of course, but the research learnings and access to online resources means that we can have even more impact.
This is something worth pondering – how far can we go? I am now thinking how do we harness AI (Artificial Intelligence).
The 2024/2025 year in review
From a Financial perspective
During the financial year 2024/2025 the Foundation’s investment portfolio has continued to grow and at 30 June 2025 the value of the portfolio (investments and cash) was $26,921,949 and distributions for the year were $1,381,338. To date the Foundation has distributed approximately $13.5m since inception.
The approved annual distribution for 2025-2026 is up to $1m.
Ms Wendy Lewis OAM
Chair
From a STEM perspective
As noted in the introduction the initiatives we invest in are designed to develop opportunities for girls and women to advance their education in these areas as well as building knowledge and understanding, more broadly, about why these opportunities need to be developed.
The current initiatives being supported are:
Swinburne University of Technology – Acorns to Oak Trees
Deakin University – Girls as Leaders in Stem (GALS)
Monash University – Monash Virtual School
University of Melbourne – The McPherson Family and Invergowrie Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship for Women in STEM
UoM, Deakin and Swinburne – Invergowrie STEM Hub – STEMeez,
Vicphysics – Girls in Physics Breakfasts
AMSI – Industry Days for Maths teachers and Career practitioners
University of Melbourne & Deakin University – Girls’ Future-Our Future, The Invergowrie Foundation STEM report – third edition
Of special note this year was the launch of the STEMeez Hub in March. The launch represents phase one of this project which focused on developing resources and access for the early years up to 8 years of age. The platform will deliver an innovative online approach for STEM resources to engage and inspire girls.
Phase two is now underway and is focused on students aged 9 to 18 years.
Girls’ Future-Our Future – third edition
The third iteration of the Invergowrie Foundation STEM report has encountered some delays due in part to the impact of the COVID pandemic and the inability to gather data based on the focus of the research.
The focus has now been changed, and the research is currently expected to be available in the first half of 2026.
From an operational perspective
Changes in Council membership
As we noted last year Ms Judith Potter retired after 15 years as a Council member and 21 years as a member of the Investment and Finance Committee.
Establishment of a Scholarship Fund
This initiative is taking some time to finalise as we consider all of the operational requirements to administer a public fund with tax deductible gift recipient (DGR) status.
Acknowledgments and closing
The management of the Foundation is reliant on the experience and dedication of our CEO, Kim Bartlett. Kim has been with the Foundation for 10 years and during this time she has been integral in developing the work of the Foundation and its sound financial management through implementing strategic initiatives and forging impactful partnerships to improve outcomes for girls in STEM. She has also focussed on optimising core business processes, strengthening our relationship with former Invergowrie Homecraft Hostel students and revitalising the Foundation’s website and publications.
The Foundation’s Council members – Patrica Burke, Susan Just, Meg Hansen, Judith Potter (retired November 2024), Lisa Ronald, Anne Sarros, Heather Schnagl and Narelle Umbers have continued to contribute their time and invaluable skills to the oversight of the Foundation. Their combined wisdom is testament to the continued growth of the Foundation and its overall contribution.
The Foundation is extremely fortunate to have John Symons and Greg Willcock to support the work of the Investment and Finance Committee. Their significant investment expertise provides greatly valued and informed discussions.
Finally, our investment adviser, Sandi Tuddenham, who has supported the Foundation for more than 24 years continues to provide invaluable support and advice in our investment deliberations. Together everyone has shared their considerable skills and financial expertise to advance the Foundation’s vision and mission. As always, as Chair, I am indebted to all of these people for their unwavering support and commitment to both me and to the work of the Foundation.
The coming year will be one of further change and opportunity and I look forward to seeing further growth in the contribution that the Foundation can make in advancing the education of girls and women in Victoria.
Wendy Lewis OAM
Chair
October 2025
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