Untitled - Annual Report 2004 - The University of Western Australia

Community RelationsBEYOND THE direct community benefit from allteaching and research activities, the University iscommitted to community service which enhancesthe student experience, engages the public andinvolves graduates.This commitment continued to be demonstrated through community outreach activities notably through theOffice of Development (Hackett Foundation), UWA Perth International Arts Festival, UWA Press, UWA Extension,Berndt Museum of Anthropology and the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery.Other activities—for example through the Institute of Advanced Studies, University Theatres and PublicAffairs—continue to maintain and build vital links between academics, the wider University and the public. Eventssuch as the UWA Expo and Parents Welcome continue to grow in popularity with external audiences, providingvaluable opportunities to reach new groups and individuals within the community. In addition in 2004, we continuedto maintain direct contact with almost 50,000 graduates through our Uniview publication and held alumni functionsin Australia and abroad (Canada, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong).Hackett Foundation • The Hackett Foundation—established six years ago to build the University’s ‘secondendowment’—continues to receive strong support from alumni, graduates and the wider community. To date theHackett Foundation, administered by UWA’s Office of Development, has received more than $24 million in donations,bequests and sponsorships, with a further $25 million in pledges. A range of fundraising programmes for specificprojects, foundations and scholarships have also met with success.Of note during the year was significant support particularly in areas of international philanthropy, alumnidevelopment, financial aid for students and support for faculty growth. Examples include a $22 million donation fromItaly’s Cassamarca Foundation to support Australian studies across nine Australian universities; the establishment ofa $25 million fundraising campaign for the Business School, which has already generated substantial promises offinancial support from the business community; and the continuing growth of the University’s bequest programme(currently in excess of $30 million).UWA Perth International Arts Festival • The 2004 UWA Perth International Arts Festival was an artistic,popular and financial success. The community engagement with the Festival proved very positive both from thepoint of view of the audience attendances and participation. Under the new Directorship of Ms Lindy Hume, theFestival has taken a four festival view aimed at enhancing programme development and planning. The inclusionof community programmes, the development of new work and more sophisticated partnerships with local artsorganisations continue to ensure the Festival remains an outstanding collaborative tradition within theWestern Australian community.UWA Press • UWA Press continued to gain accolades in 2004. Over 37,000 books bearing the UWA Pressimprint were sold across Australia, Europe and North America, and new books received manycomplimentary reviews in national and international publications. Furthermore, 2004 saw the work ofthe Press formally acknowledged in national awards. James Stirling: Admiral and Founding Governor ofWestern Australia by Pamela Statham-Drew was short-listed in both the prestigious NationalBiography Award and the WA Premier’s Award, while Mark Greenwood was awarded the WAPremier’s Award for Children’s Books for The Legend of Lasseter’s Reef, making him one of the fewcontinued overleafpage 23