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Advancing Girls’ Education Across Australia – Together we can change lives

Harding Miller Education Foundation

Supported beneficiary groups within Women & Girls
Age Demographic
Youth - 15 to under 25
Project Focus
Project Area
Australia
Rural/Regional
ACT | NSW | NT | QLD | SA | TAS | VIC | WA

Project Description

The primary objective of the Harding Miller Education Foundation is to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty through education. We do this by providing scholarships to high potential girls who are experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage. We have supported over 1000 girls since 2016 in over 400 public schools in every state and territory of Australia with life changing educational scholarships.

Successful applicants are provided with a multi-layered support program for four years through to Year 12 and graduation. This includes a laptop and technical support, high speed broadband internet, tutoring, a personal coach, online homework assistance, and financial support for school expenses such as uniforms and excursions. HMEF also provides scholars with an enrichment program provided in collaboration with Australian universities, education institutions and the corporate sector.

We believe our scholarships are best practice because they are multi-layered, individualised and long-term. Our scholarships take the girls right through the final four years of school (Years 9-12), ensuring they have opportunities not only to learn about a range of career paths and tertiary study available, but also understand how to access those pathways and feel confident and supported in doing so. Girls that may not have had the resources to see them through their schooling are instead empowered, inspired and supported to succeed.

Expected Outcomes

The main expected outcome of the program is for scholars to graduate having achieved their academic potential and to build a pathway to tertiary education, meaningful careers and financially successful lives. We work with the girls to reach their potential firstly by providing them with the tools and resources they need but to also support them and help to grow their confidence and self-belief that they can break the cycle of poverty that they have come from and build better lives with more opportunity for themselves and their future families. We aim to build the next generation of female leaders of Australia - women with the education, insight and understanding of what a future Australia needs to be fair and equitable for all.

We already know we are achieving these outcomes with over 300 girls having graduated since 2016 many with university pathways, early entry and additional tertiary education scholarships.

The HMEF scholarship program has awarded more than 1,000 academic scholarships nationally over the past eight years. These scholarships have empowered girls to identify a future they previously may not have been able to imagine. Many of our alumni state that they would never have dreamed of the pathways they are currently taking before receiving the scholarship.

Project Data & Lessons

Scholarship Program:

  • Over 1,000 academic scholarships have been delivered nationally, which have seen girls identify a future that is different to what their parents have experienced.
  • Of the 604 current scholars in 2023, 18% are First Nations students, 39% are from non-English speaking backgrounds, 34% are from rural and regional Australia, 9% are refugees and 6% have experienced out of home care.
  • 87% of graduates intend to go to university when they complete Year 12.
  • At least 40% of our scholarship recipients have achieved an ATAR in the top 20% of their state.
  • Since 2016 we have delivered:
    • $2.65M worth of tutoring.
    • $580K of online homework help.
    • $13M worth of uniforms, textbooks and fees.
    • $13.5M in technology.

Project Dates

Update
Our project is ongoing - as scholars complete Year 12, new scholars begin Year 9.

Funding Details

$20,000
Funding Needed
$0
Current Funding
$20,000
Total Project Costs
0
Approved Tax Deductability Status
Approved Tax Concession Charity
Other Funding Sources
The HMEF Founders pay for all operating costs including staff salaries enabling 100% of every donation to go to the scholars on the program. $20,000 is for one scholarship across four years.
Other Support Opportunities
Impact investment, In-kind contributions, Pro bono services

Organisation Details

Harding Miller Education Foundation
ABN: 51607194641

Contact

Cara Varian
Phone: 1300103896

About Harding Miller Education Foundation

The primary objective of the Harding Miller Education Foundation is to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty through education. We do this by providing scholarships to high potential girls who are experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage. We support students in the public school system with the intention of strengthening the public school system, the family and the community the scholar comes from. The scholarships support female students to reach their full academic potential, complete high school and build direct pathways to further education and professional careers. We provide them with tools, resources, opportunities and support.

We provide four-year scholarships (Year 9-12) worth $20,000 including a high-quality laptop, high speed mobile broadband, IT support, unlimited online homework help, $2,500 of personal tutoring each year and a prepaid card for school essentials such as uniforms, textbooks and excursions. Scholars also receive a personal coach for the four years who guides them through their educational journey and ensures they make the most of all the scholarship elements. HMEF also provides scholars with an enrichment program provided in collaboration with Australian universities, education institutions and the corporate sector. Our approach offers personalised support to girls within their families, their communities, and their public schools. 100% of all donations go to the students. All administrative and staff costs are covered by the founders.

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