Swinburne and Rotary have a long-standing connection with George Swinburne being a member of Australia’s first Rotary Club founded in 1921. Over the years Rotary and Swinburne have supported a shared desire to make a difference in the world through education and empowerment. 

In recent years, Swinburne and Rotary clubs from around Melbourne have collaborated on a range of initiatives including student projects, mentoring, cultural exchanges, work experience, volunteering and fundraising. 

Highlights

250+ hours of volunteering

By Swinburne students at Rotary events and initiatives

Over $100,000 in support

For community and student support programs

99 year partnership

With a shared passion for serving the community

Key projects and outcomes

Swinburne students have committed hundreds of hours to Rotary activities and initiatives including: Rotary Op Shops, Book Stalls, event management and on the day support, design work, translation services and social media support.

Rotary has provided generous in-kind and philanthropic funding towards Swinburne’s Young Mums programWelcome Scholarships and Student Emergency FundBoorondara Cares Foundation, a Rotary-led organisation, has also provided tertiary scholarships via the Education CHANCES scholarship program. 

Over the last few years, Swinburne students have completed a number of specialised projects with Rotary. This includes the redesign and creation of digital assets for multiple clubs (by Digital Advertising Technology students), the development and design of product packaging (by Design Communication students), new marketing initiatives (for participants at The Bureau) and event management plans (by Event Management students).  

Since 2013, Swinburne has proudly hosted the Camberwell Rotary Art Show, the longest and biggest art show in the southern hemisphere. Proceeds from this fundraising activity go to supporting local community programs and initiatives.

In 2019 a Rotary mentoring program was piloted through involvement of Rotarians and community professionals across Boroondara and Swinburne’s Adult Migrant English Program. Rotary provided invaluable conversation and advice to our students to support both their personal and professional aspirations. Based on positive feedback, we hope this can become an ongoing program.

  • “Swinburne and Rotary share a passion for serving others, advancing world understanding and encouraging goodwill.”

    Professor Linda Kristjanson AO , Former Vice Chancellor, Swinburne University of Technology

In the news

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