Our Staff Workplace Giving Program Champions – Dee Edwards

A connoisseur of fine foods and wine, Dee Edwards is right at home as the Entrepreneurship Facilitator - Barossa-Yorke-Mid North, for Flinders University’s New Venture Institute.

Her work means she can also indulge in another passion – supporting communities and regional entrepreneurs.

“My role gives me an opportunity to lead with empathy, activate my own agency to help others and provide safe spaces for others to engage and co-create value for their communities.

Dee says spending time in regional areas highlights the wonderful reach and impact Flinders has in regional South Australia, and she’s proud of the world-class academia at her University who are focused on research that is relevant to regional communities.

In 2020 Flinders University called on staff whose circumstances allowed, to consider providing financial support to students who are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s little surprise that the community-minded, social justice focused employee jumped at the opportunity to donate fortnightly towards the University’s Indigenous Student Scholarships and the Matthew Flinders Scholarship through the Staff Workplace Giving Program.

Dee Edwards, Entrepreneurship Facilitator - Barossa-Yorke-Mid North, New Venture Institute

“I wanted to be able to somehow remove barriers for students so they can concentrate on becoming the best versions of themselves they could possibly be. This is hard to do if they are constantly in survival mode, I want them to be in “thriving mode”.

“We are growing a community of leaders in the university environment. This is a great responsibility that requires a care culture, that I want to be living intentionally through my thoughts and deeds.

“I hope my donations help to give a student some critical breathing space to enjoy their learning experience with Flinders University.”

The contributions from staff in supporting students have been extraordinary. Flinders University employees have provided guidance and mentorship to students during challenging circumstances and generously assisted with financial support for those experiencing financial hardship.

Student scholarships are a tangible recognition of academic endeavour and an investment in the higher education and career goals of another. Something Dee herself is experiencing this year as a sponsored participate in the 2020 Governor’s Leadership Foundation program.

“When I applied, I knew I could only realistically afford 50% of the program and went through the rigorous application process anyway not knowing if I would be able to participate.

“I did not fit any of the existing scholarship options, so I was extremely surprised the wonderful staff at the Leaders Institute of South Australia shared my story with potential private donors, which eventuated in a fully sponsored placement.

For Dee, equity in education is important, and while the pandemic has exacerbated financial need, regional community participation in higher education was already an issue on her mind.

“It is important to remove barriers for students at all levels of education to be nurtured and guided into this realm with their eyes, arms and hearts open.

“By unearthing and developing strong regional community and business leaders who may leave their hometowns to gain global experiences and perspectives at university, then return to their communities to create vibrant safe spaces and thriving micro-economies – we are ushering in a new wave of care culture leadership.”

Flinders staff members making a difference

The Staff Workplace Giving Program provides an option for Flinders University staff members to make a regular donation to support our collections, researchers and students. Set up via the payroll system, the pre-tax salary sacrifice deduction also has the effect of reducing your taxable income.

Find out more