The 1996 Society
The 1996 Society is a giving club that inspires conversations and action - not just about what is needed today, but about how philanthropists can shape and secure the future of higher education.
The name recognises the founding year of UniSC and acknowledges the visionaries who helped create our University.
One of the biggest challenges we face is ever increasing political and economic pressures which creates a high degree of uncertainty for a university like ours. Uncertainty which hampers our ability to plan for the future. It is important that we overcome this and that is why we have created the Society.
Society and vision
Achieving great things at UniSC requires a healthy sustainable financial foundation. Support given by The 1996 Society members and visionaries is entrusted in an endowment known as the UniSC Visionaries Fund. The principal is held in perpetuity while the interest is distributed for critical projects and programs.
This perpetual financial investment account then secures the future of UniSC by addressing urgent needs in the areas of:
- the quality of teaching and research,
- support of student bursaries, and
- seed money for vital program development.
Donate now
100% of your donation will go towards the UniSC Visionaries Fund, any donation over $2 are tax deductible.
The UniSC Visionaries Fund will ensure that UniSC will have a solid foundation to continue to invest in providing the best environment for our students in study, sport, and the pursuit of innovative research.
For more information on unrestricted giving to this endowment contact Kate Evans, Senior Advancement Manager.
Philanthropy
1996 Society Event hosted by Noelene Shadforth, featuring The Kitty Kats (10 October 2019)
The 1996 Society Supporters
Visionaries ($5,000 annual)
- Helen Bartlett
- Helen Fairweather
- Jan and Rod Forrester
- Hall Contracting Pty Ltd
- Chris and Rachel Harris
- Mary Henzell
- David and Margie Jeffries
- McNab
- Parklakes II
- Judy Renouf
- Ngaire Roberts
- Gail and John Shadforth
- Noelene Shadforth
- Graham Tamblyn
- Jocelyn Walker
Members ($1,996 annual)
- Anonymous donors
- Kenneth John Adkins and Carol Ann Kim Adkins
- Bentley's Sunshine Coast
- Meg Brimacombe
- Covey Associates
- Jill Chamberlain OAM
- Bill Darby
- Ferre and Mieke De Deyne
- Alex Elibank Murray
- Kate Evans
- Grant and Susan Ferry
- Bill and Lorena Freeman
- Carmel Fulton
- Sue Gardner
- Greg and Laraine Hill
- Cynthia Howland
- Gail Hunter and Richard Hyett
- Kruger Law
- Birgit Lohmann
- Fay Mansell
- Sebastion Marx
- Errika Meades
- Keith Neuendorf and Karen Neuendorf OAM
- Natasha Read
- Joanne Scott
- Helen and Rustum Sethna
- Fiona Simpson
- Geraldine and Sakib Taggart-Jeewa
- Colin and Lynette Vale
- Chris and Katie Walker
- Tim and Linda Wess
- Bruce Williams
- Ross and Maria Young
an enduring legacy
Ngaire Roberts
Helen Sethna
Founding 1996 Society members leave an enduring legacy
Ngaire Roberts and Helen Sethna, both founding members of the 1996 Society, will be remembered for their commitment and generosity to UniSC after sadly passing away in late 2022.
As a 1996 Society Visionary, Ngaire first supported the University with a donation during the inaugural Giving Day in 2016. Ngaire was a member of the Vice Chancellor’s Founders Circle, and valuable research donor, establishing the Ngaire Roberts Youth Mental Health PhD Scholarship. Ngaire’s commitment to giving continues through PhD scholarship recipient, Kassie Bromley’s neuroscience research at the Thompson Institute; Kassie shares her youth mental health research findings through Brain Changer workshops to schools across the Sunshine Coast.
A loyal supporter of UniSC, Helen (along with her husband Rustum) was named Honorary Senior Fellow of UniSC for ongoing philanthropic support and volunteer contributions throughout the Sunshine Coast, including their financial support for UniSC’s psychology program at its inception. You can read more about Helen’s commitment to UniSC on the 1996 Society member profile page.
Ngaire and Helen both leave wonderful legacies that will continue to provide support for UniSC students and research, delivering great outcomes for our region well into the future.
1996 Society member profiles
Five questions with our 1996 Society members