Our Staff Workplace Giving Program Champions – Dr Lewis Vaughan

Dr Lewis Vaughan is a member of Flinders University’s Research Development and Support Team, and one of several staff who have chosen to donate to the Matthew Flinders Scholarship program through the University’s Staff Workplace Giving Program.

An Animal Welfare Advisor, Dr Vaughan is passionate about supporting biological and medical researchers and maximising welfare outcomes for animals.

"I have been encouraged to support the donor program because of my contact with graduate students through the Colleges of Science and Engineering, and Medicine and Public Health,” he says.

“In addition to the students, I have been inspired by the self-sacrifice of many of the academics I work with in their contribution to the students under their care.”

More than 1,900 students have been supported through the Matthew Flinders Scholarship program this year and our staff have been integral to reaching so many.

Students have described their huge relief in accessing this financial support and their appreciation that Flinders has cared for them.

Dr Lewis Vaughan, Animal Welfare Officer, Research Development and Support

A high number of scholarship recipients are international students who lost or were unable to gain employment in a challenging landscape for casual and part-time workers. Unable to access any federal government hardship programs, facing travel restrictions, and with the financial situations of their families significantly impacted by COVID-19 in many cases, there was a risk of this cohort of students becoming highly vulnerable.

Dr Vaughan reflects on his own student experience and the importance of creating a culture of support.

“When I undertook my veterinary training at the University of Queensland I was guided and mentored by my teachers. This had a profound influence on me. I believe that a similar culture exists at Flinders and I want to support that to continue and develop."

“I would like to think that students feel they belong to a community at Flinders and that staff are concerned about their welfare.”

He says one his own greatest achievements has been working as a veterinarian in a developing country and having the opportunity to teach students in Latin America.

He hopes the University’s support will contribute to the students developing their own sense of community, and that in their future careers they will be motivated to pursue issues of social justice and community support, and seek to serve others in their communities.

“My hope for their future is that they will become active citizens in whichever country they live.”

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.

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