Ted Kennedy Aboriginal Fund

The Ted Kennedy Aboriginal Fund was established in 2006 to commemorate and perpetuate the commitment of Father Ted Kennedy. Father Ted was the Catholic priest at the inner Sydney Redfern parish of St Vincent’s for over 25 years who dedicated his life to working for the rights of Aboriginal people. He had a strong connection to the Southern Highlands through his retreat in Burrawang.

The Fund administers an annual small grants program that supports local Aboriginal initiatives such as land care and heritage preservation and educational and cultural programs.

“Woonjegaribay” is the Aboriginal word for Wingecarribee and is the name of the Aboriginal Film Festival which the Ted Kennedy Fund presents at the Bowral Empire Cinema bi-annually. These festivals celebrate the multiple layers of culture and inspiring creative talents of Australian Aboriginal filmmakers.

In 2009, the Ted Kennedy Fund made grants to the following community groups:

• Berrima Correctional Services
• Yamanda Aboriginal Association
• Triple Care Farm
• The Kula Gadu Aboriginal Association
• The Wingecarribee & Torres Strait Land Care Group (WABSIL)
• Wingecarribee Family Support Services
• Bowral Public School
• National Braille Music Camp

For more information about the Ted Kennedy Aboriginal Fund or how to make a contribution please contact:
Anne Donaldson on 02 4871 2414 / email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Reg Rowe Art Scholarship

In 2006, the late Reg Rowe  entrusted his collection of over 350 paintings and books to The Southern Highlands Foundation.  The Foundation manages the sale of these paintings and books with the income received invested and a sum of $5,000 to be awarded annually to support young art professionals in the Wingecarribee Shire to further their education.

It is envisaged that scholarship recipients will reflect the richness and diversity of Australian visual culture in all its fields and that the scope of this scholarship not be limited to any particular arts practice but awarded on individual post-graduation merit.

The Foundation has granted three scholarships of $5,000 each to local artists. The 2008 scholarship was awarded to Hannah Bruce, the 2009 scholarship to Madeleine Cruise and this year the scholarship was awarded to Sarah Eddowes.

Details of the 2011 Scholarship will be advertised and posted on the website at the end of 2010. 

For more information contact:
Dee Morgan 02 4862 1466

Cancer Care Fund

The Cancer Care Fund was established in December 2008 and will make grants for

• Purchase of equipment for the treatment or care of cancer patients in the Southern Highlands.
• Development of clinical trials and research in the Southern Highlands in relation to cancer patients.
• Training of medical personnel in cancer care.
• Development & maintenance of cancer services in Southern Highlands.

The Foundation granted the first grant to the Southern Highlands Cancer Centre in July 2009 of $7,500 which was used to purchase three portable oxygen machines.  The machines can be borrowed by cancer patients for their use at home.

The management committee is led by Jenny Harper, Chief Executive Officer, Southern Highlands Private Hospital, Professor Stephen Della Fiorentina, Jo Pearson and the Southern Highlands Foundation representative is Dian Ball.

For more information please contact:
Dian Ball 02 4862 1466

Children and Young People.

The Youth Fund of the Foundation makes grants twice a year to local groups involved with

Programs that support young people in our community.  The Youth Philanthropy Officer Tamara Crowther and her team from MAD (Make a Difference) Youth encourage Youth Philanthropy and work with young people form 12 to 25.

Money supporting the Youth Fund has been donated by The Ted Springett Family Trust, BDCU Youth Foundation and money raised from the Highlands Harvest Hunt Easter Sunday, 2009.

In 2009, small grants were made to

• U-Turn-the-Wheel
• Fresh Hope
• Art Gallery for Young People
• BHS DoE
• Young Parents
• Youth of the Streets
• Band Showcase
• WYR FM

In October 2009, an additional round of grants will be advertised, and all community groups will be encouraged to apply.

Contact  Meghan Barrell on 02 4862 1466 or 0400 553 097

Aged, Palliative and Respite Care

The Carers Newsletter is published quarterly (please click here for copies).

More to come here

Environment Fund

The Environment Fund has been created to foster community programs that demonstrate

Environment initiatives in our community.

Rob Steven Palliative and Respite Care Fund

This donation account was set up with funding from the Mine Workers Trust to commemorate the late UNSW researcher in Social Sciences, Rob Steven, and to fund local initiatives in palliative care. The fund has awarded scholarships to local nurses to upgrade their skills in palliative care nursing, and held workshops for nurses and carers. Funds are also provided for palliative care equipment which can be used by people being nursed at home.

Improved palliative care was identified as a need in the community survey which led to setting up the Wingecarribee Community Foundation, now the Southern Highlands Foundation. Donations to this fund will be used to help our community in this area.

Funding from the Springett Family Foundation has helped to support carers of those being nursed at home, and the Carers News funded through this grant is a way of acknowledging carers needs and therefore supporting those they care for.