STAWELL GIFT
The Cathy Freeman Foundation is proud to be the official charity partner of Australia's richest footrace, the stawell gift.
Cathy Freeman established the Cathy Freeman Foundation in 2007 to help Indigenous children and their families recognise the power of education and achieve their goals and dreams.
The Cathy Freeman Foundation programs help broaden horizons and inspire Indigenous students to experience their full potential in school, and beyond.
The Foundation acknowledges the strength and wisdom that lies within remote Indigenous communities. Our work demands strong and trusting partnerships with community, elders and school leaders. We partner with communities for the long haul, as we journey through the complexities of the work required to create social change.
The Foundation delivers five programs designed to travel the journey of a child’s education from Pre Prep through to Year 12. The programs focus on improving school attendance, behaviour and literacy and are effective in extending the children’s horizons and future opportunities. The Cathy Freeman Foundation inspires children to realise their own gold medal journey.
OUR VISION
An Australia where Indigenous and non-Indigenous children have the same education standards and opportunities in life.
OUR MISSION
To help Indigenous children experience their full potential in school, and beyond.
OUR PURPOSe
To close the education gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children and provide pathways to a brighter future.
A RICH HISTORY
The Cathy Freeman Foundation became the official charity partner of the Stawell Gift in 2016, which marked the 20th anniversary of Cathy Freeman’s remarkable run when she ran around the field from a scratch mark to achieve a memorable victory at Stawell’s Central Park.
Following her stunning victory from scratch in the previous year she lined up again in 1996 in her last race before the Atlanta Olympics. In miserable conditions she overcame starts of up to 54 metres and interference from another runner as she charged to the line in what many consider to be the greatest run they had ever witnessed at Stawell.
LOCAL LEGENDS
After a class of Stawell Secondary College senior students joined Team Freeman at the Melbourne Marathon in 2015, Chelsea Chatfield, Year 11 student at the time, saw an opportunity to link the Cathy Freeman Foundation with Australia's richest footrace, the Stawell Gift. Chelsea led the relationship from the outset and implemented fundraising initiatives, volunteer management and event management over the Easter weekend, raising $4230 for the Foundation in 2016, all as a part of her Year 12 studies. Chelsea has passed the lead role to Jack Rutter and Claudia Jasper, who will drive fundraising and awareness for the Cathy Freeman Foundation at the Stawell Gift 2017. All volunteers that you see at the event are from the local Stawell community.
OTHER WAYS TO DONATE
OVER THE PHONE
Donate over the phone by calling us on:
(03) 9686 4813
SEND A CHEQUE
Send a cheque made out to
'Cathy Freeman Foundation' and a note that includes your full name and address to:
Cathy Freeman Foundation
PO Box 567, South Melbourne
VIC 3205
BANK DEPOSIT
Send us an email or call
(+61 3 9686 4190) and we will give you the bank deposit details.