The McWhirter Foundation The conferences’ aims “I will never forget the discussions and debates I had with my peers that I otherwise would not have had due to this conference. Hearing perspectives that you wouldn’t normally and Through its conferences, the McWhirter Foundations’ aims are to challenging my own ideas and encourage students to think about social, ethical and moral issues morals throughout the “Thank you again for offering this based on: conference was fantastic. I was opportunity to our two students. • The principles and practice of good citizenship able to gain insight into what They both found the conference to • The importance of personal initiative and leadership other people thought about this be a fantastic forum to share their • The value of social, ethical and moral courage years topic as well as their ideas on other aspects of our role as passion for global and current issues • The balance between individual responsibility and the role of the young people in our society. All and spoke about it with praise” state JULIEN ESCURAT of the students in attendance • Their own role in society DIRECTOR OF SENIOR SCHOOL had a wealth of knowledge and The Foundation helps students obtain these objectives by offering it’s clear they will all go on to do scholarships to attend its annual conferences. great things. I believe this conference is something every- one should look at attending. It gave me an opportunity to meet some fantastic individuals and listen to speakers who were very insightful” ALANNAH NIX | STUDENT ATTENDEE Listen | Debate | Change About In the UK, the McWhirter Foundation has been holding its highly the regarded Year 11 and Year 12 educational conferences at Oxford conferences University each year for the last 45 years, and also more recently at Cambridge University. In a significant step to broaden its reach, the Foundation chose Australia to hold its first ever conference outside the UK and in 2019, held its first international conference with the University “It was a pleasure to be part of Melbourne as the host partner. The association with the of the McWhirter Conference The conferences provide University of Melbourne continues. this year. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and an environment which The Foundation invites a range of schools to send two students feel I have gained lots of new to each conference. Schools vary each year, but we aim to achieve encourages students to knowledge and insights. It think about how they may a balance of genders and delegates, from both state and private was wonderful to engage with be able to participate in schools, with a bias towards the former. people with such a serious shaping the future Students with an interest in current affairs, politics, law, society commitment to the wellbeing and science will find the experience particularly useful, but we of future generations in our welcome those with a wide diversity of interests uncertain world” and opinions. JAKE FITZGERALD STUDENT ATTENDEE There is no requirement for the students to do any homework for the conference, however some background knowledge is always helpful and produces tougher questions for the speakers! The conferences offer a unique opportunity for the next generation of school leavers by providing a forum where students listen to others, put forward their own ideas, debate and gain confidence. Listen | Debate | Change The students “We would like to thank you so very much for the opportunity you gave us in organising this event and The students represent allowing us to participate. We a wide cross section of thoroughly enjoyed ourselves Each conference brings together Years 11 and 12 high school and feel much more educated diverse ethnicities and students (typically in Year 11 because of Year 12 students’ on the subject, as well as more socio-economic strata and commitments to the VCE/IB) from both state and independent motivated to become more come from many locations, schools. knowledgable about the world both urban and rural Many of the schools, whose students attend the conferences, around us” indicate that based on how much their students have benefited GEORGIA O’KEEFE ERIN JOHNSTON from the experience, they will continue to send students in the STUDENT ATTENDEES future. Of the students surveyed after each conference, on average 97% said they would recommend the event to other students, friends and colleagues. Listen | Debate | Change The student “Many thanks to the experience McWhirter Foundation for setting up this fantastic conference! It was so engaging. The Foundation’s conferences attract a great deal of interest from I’ve never had an experience at any conference which was Many past students Victoria’s high schools and the competition for places is high. as effective at drawing in so However, student numbers are kept at around 65 to encourage a describe the experience many different people from so high degree of interaction. as ‘life changing’ and have many backgrounds as this one. been inspired to pursue The students find that their voice counts and their opinions are It was extremely interesting, respected and valued. further education and yet it also felt as though we Underpinning each conference is the hope and expectation the were contributing to a wider career options they may students not only go on to think about their own role in society discussion which looks at our societal views and conventions not have otherwise but are also better equipped to continue their education and (which managed to get every considered graduate into an increasingly complex world. person in the room thinking!)” NED LINDENMEYER STUDENT ATTENDEE “Tank you for the images and the overall organisation of this event. Te young person from our College thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, the engaged community and the ability to network. What a great experience for young people” RUSSELL DEER | COLLEGE PRINCIPAL Listen | Debate | Change The "Thank you for allowing our future students to take part in the McWhirter Conference; their accounts of their experience Due to the success of delivering the conferences online, the have been overwhelmingly Foundation is now working towards establishing a global network Our post-conference surveys positive, and I know they will of international conferences. continue to be enriched by tell us most of the students An important part of this program is the establishment of student the content of the speakers’ addresses and the debates for enjoy a really positive (conference alumni) representative panels in each participating many years to come” experience in terms of feeling location. MARY-ANNE KERATIOTIS able to express their views It’s expected the student representative panels will in turn, form an COORDINATOR OF DEBATING AND PUBLIC SPEAKING and listening to others. international panel, designed to operate as a global student think- They also declare a greater tank. determination to speak out Given the focus of the Foundation’s aims, the ideas and initiatives about issues which are of generated by this international group are not only destined to provide a unique and vitally important voice for this demographic concern to them all over the world, they will also be a strategically significant resource for all those who are actively engaged in a diverse range of projects focussed on future planning. Listen | Debate | Change Supporting the “It was our pleasure to make The McWhirter Conferences are supported by both individual and a donation to the McWhirter Foundation corporate sponsors, without whom it would not be possible to Foundation. You are providing hold these events. Their generosity has enabled us to keep the a great opportunity for young conferences free for the students for the last 45 years, and with people who are interested in their continuing support, we hope to do so for many years to serving their community and in Supporting the Foundation come. the development of their ethical is an important investment thinking. Our son was The funds the Foundation receives from its supporters are in a unique and significant appreciative to be offered the used to offer all the attending students a full scholarship. Each opportunity to attend. He has educational opportunity to scholarship is valued at around $300. always been interested in social engage with, and support, We would like to thank the speakers, the syndicate leaders and justice, politics, the historical the next generation of our other supporters who give their time without compensation, save development of societies and how best and brightest thinkers, for the joy of spending time in the company of some of the to effect change, so this was right brightest and most engaging young people in the country. in his area and has enjoyed the leaders and influencers opportunity to interact with The Foundation is a not for profit and is apolitical. other interested people. Thanks Dame Quentin Bryce is the Patron for the Foundation in Australia. for the great work you are doing Please let us know if you would like any further information about bringing this opportunity to our youth, it is greatly appreciated the Foundation or its conferences, or would like to discuss how locally and in the broader global best you or your organisation may be able to support us. context!” TONY McGRATH AND SIMONE ROCHFORT STUDENT PARENTS Listen | Debate | Change The The Guinness Book of Records Foundation’s Ross and Norris McWhirter originally became sports journalists in 1950. heritage Earlier that year they founded an The original Ross McWhirter Foundation was established agency to provide facts and figures to Fleet Street, setting out, in Norris's in December 1975 – a few weeks after IRA gunmen words “to supply facts and figures to assassinated Ross at his home in north London. The Foundation newspapers, year-books, was set up by Ross’s twin brother, Norris, and several close encyclopaedias and advertisers”.