The 2008 Mary Jane Lewis Scholarship Foundation’s annual fundraising lunch was a rousing success, receiving warm praise from its 170 attendees and special guests. Now in its second year, the fundraising lunch has so far raised over $130,000 from generous donors, continuing the foundation’s aim to raise one million dollars by 2010.

The May 15 event was a moving afternoon of heartfelt speeches from MJL Scholars Elvedina Bektasevic and Maria Ilinova as they conveyed their stories of courage and struggle to the captive audience. Countering this was the warm humour displayed by MC Libbi Gorr and the insightful look at the Higher Education sector from key note speaker Sally Capp.

The cornerstone of the foundation, the twin themes of Higher Education and supporting disadvantaged women were best summed up by this year’s scholarship recipient Maria Ilinova:

"With this scholarship, I finally feel like I don't need to fight to survive anymore, and can now focus on the thing that matters to me the most at the moment - Higher Education. And I know that if something goes wrong, despite having only two family members in this country, there are other people I can fall back on for support who care just as much."

With the recent launch of the MJL Mentoring program and the continuation of the Financial Literacy & CV course, the Mary Jane Lewis Scholarship Foundation is ensuring that its scholars are given the best possible start to their careers.

A big thanks goes out to the Fundraising Committee and the event sponsors for making the day a great success.

Mary Jane Lewis Mentoring Program launched

The Mary Jane Lewis Scholarship Foundation is excited to announce the inaugural Mentoring Program for its scholars. In late April, the recipients of the Mary Jane Lewis Scholarship will be paired with successful business women from a variety of fields who have kindly given up their time to help guide our scholars through 2008. It is hoped this is a start of a great tradition for the Mary Jane Lewis Scholarship Foundation and one that benefits both the mentors and scholars.

2008 Mary Jane Lewis Scholarship winner announced

On February 13 2008, we were proud to announce Victorian high school graduate Maria Ilinova as the latest recipient of the Mary Jane Lewis Scholarship. Russian born Miss Ilinova will receive $10,000 per annum for the duration of her degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne.

"Without this scholarship, I could not afford to go to University", Maria said.

"I am so grateful to the Mary Jane Lewis Scholarship Foundation which has given me an opportunity to fulfil my passion."

Please join us in congratulating Miss Ilinova as the 2008 Mary Jane Lewis Scholar.