ECU payroll giving program makes its mark

The generosity of Edith Cowan University's (ECU's) employees has seen a record number of scholarships given to students in need of a helping hand.

ECU's Payroll Giving Program enables staff to make a regular pre-tax donation to an ECU cause close to their heart.

The program, managed through payroll, sees 100% of donations go to the fund of staff members' choice, with options including the Inspiring Minds Equity Scholarships.

Thanks to the charitable staff donations, 45 Inspiring Minds scholarships - valued at $3,000 each – will be awarded to deserving students in Semester 2.

This is a marked increase on last year, where 31 of these scholarships were awarded.

ECU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Clare Pollock, speaks to the guests at the Staff Giving Celebration event.

Speaking at a Staff Giving Celebration event to thank staff who contributed to the program, ECU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Clare Pollock, also a proud payroll giver, said the initiative was a powerful force for good at the University.

"It fuels important research and provides a lifeline for students who are working hard to build their futures while struggling to make ends meet," she said.

"What you give makes that possible.

"We all know that a scholarship can be the difference between a student reaching graduation or walking away.

"Many students come to ECU carrying challenges that go far beyond their studies, overcoming real and significant life hurdles in pursuit of their dream of earning a degree."

Susan Schofield, Director of Development and Alumni Relations at ECU said the event was an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable generosity and impact of the ECU staff giving community, whose commitment to making a difference continues to inspire.

"I want to take a moment to sincerely thank colleagues across the University who donate, especially those who regularly give a part of their salary so that others may have a little more," she said.

"It is a quiet, consistent act of generosity, and the impact it creates together is truly extraordinary."

Scholarship arrives at the perfect time for single mum and full-time student

Maryke Mohnke, who is currently completing a Master of Medical and Health Sciences by Research, was among last year's Inspiring Minds Scholarship recipients.

With a dying laptop and juggling her studies as a single mother to her four-year-old son Marley, the timing of receiving the scholarship was perfect.

"I cried. I was just so surprised when I got the e-mail. It was incredible, and then the money came so quickly as well," she said.

Being able to replace her unreliable eight-year-old laptop was a weight off her shoulders, as she had tried to put some money aside to save for a new one.

"As soon as the money came in, I could just click ‘order' and buy the new laptop," she said.

"It was just an incredible feeling of just not having to worry about it because the money was just there."

It has not been an easy road for Ms Mohnke to complete her studies, which she has persevered through while separating from her husband, juggling a full-time study timetable and work, all while being a single mother.

"It's funny though, because people were always like, ‘How do you do it? How do you keep studying?'" she said.

"But studying was something that I guess, because that was the constant in my life, that was something that kept me going.

"It was for me, it was my goal, it was working towards my future. So studying was actually what sometimes kept me going and it gave me routine and structure."

Balancing Centrelink support payments with casual work has required careful financial planning.

While Ms Mohnke has developed strong budgeting skills, her capacity to take on additional work hours is limited by the demands of her full-time studies.

The support provided through the Staff Giving Program has eased the pressure to squeeze in work shifts and will help fund costly expenses such as maintaining her car, while allowing her to enjoy little treats with her son, including taking him out for a hot chocolate.

Amy Barrett, Susan Schofield, Maryke Mohnke and Jo Hulme at the Staff Giving Celebration event.

A significant and meaningful boost

While Ms Mohnke admits completing her tertiary studies has not always been an easy road, her drive "was always bigger than those moments."

"I think it's always worth pursuing your goals because you're always working towards something, and it's for yourself," she said.

"If you have a passion, I think it's always worth pursuing."

Giving made easy

In 2025, an incredible 153 staff members donated to the University via regular Staff Payroll Giving and through one-off donations.

Established in 2014, the Staff Payroll Giving Program makes it easy for academics and professional staff across the University alike to donate.

"It's very easy to sign up to regular giving through a quick online form," ECU's Community Fundraising Coordinator Jo Hulme said.

"I don't even notice the donation coming out of my own pre-tax fortnightly pay and because it is through payroll you don't have to worry about receipts at the end of the financial year. That is all taken care of."

For as little as $5 per fortnight out of your pre-tax income you can make a big difference to students like Maryke overcome barriers to study.

Choose a cause that's close to your heart and sign up to ECU Staff Giving today.