Harvey Norman donate nearly $8m to Western Sydney University to launch a decade-long leadership program

There are 100 young women in western Sydney whose lives have been transformed by an educational scholarship – and now that number is set to go through the roof.

There are 100 young women in western Sydney whose lives have been transformed by an educational scholarship – and now that number is set to go through the roof.

Harvey Norman chief executive Katie Page donated $7.9m to Western Sydney University to launch a decade-long leadership program through Auburn Girls High School to empower the next generation of female leaders.

It was welcomed by Western Sydney University immediate past vice chancellor Barney Glover who said it sent a message to government and other corporates that they also needed to step up.

“This is not a short-term commitment,” he said.

“This is saying to make real change to the community you have got to be there for the long haul.”

Harvey Norman chief executive Katie Page with Auburn Girls High School students Samira Noori, Jeanny Vo, Maryam Hadi and student Najiya Afnan. Picture: Richard Dobson

The university will use the money to provide learning, development and mentorship opportunities for young women and include a research element to measure its impact.

Mr Glover said the almost $8m donation was “an extraordinary gift based on a long history of philanthropy from Katie Page and Gerry Harvey” who opened their first store in Auburn more than 40 years ago.

“There is a message here to the government that we’ve got to do better,” he said.

“But it’s not just government, the corporate world has a responsibility too and needs to stand up.”

Harvey Norman founder Gerry Harvey with his wife and Harvey Norman chief executive Katie Page in 2021. Mr Harvey said the government needs to “do better” for Sydney’s west. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

He said the long-term commitment to western Sydney was reflected in The Daily Telegraph’s Fair Go For The West campaign that has just marked its 10th anniversary.

“Katie and Gerry have always been fair go for the west …. and this is part of Fair Go For The West as it’s now conceptualised because this is saying there is still work to be done.”

Ms Page said the first-of-its-kind academy built on the experience she had gained from providing scholarships over the last decade to young women often from refugee families.

“Those scholarships are allowing women that couldn’t afford it to have a tertiary education – they are bright and they should not be held back,” she said.

“It shows the rest of the family what they can do as well. It has this knock on effect with family, then with community, that says we are doing this.”

Ms Page has personally funded 78 of the 107 scholarships to date and those young women will provide mentorship to show the possibilities on offer to the next generation coming through Auburn Girls High School.

Harvey Norman chief executive Katie Page said the scholarships are “transformative”. Picture: Richard Dobson

“I’ve got a 100 scholarship girls since 2016 that will take a leadership role with the girls at the school here. It’s transformative, they are going to be giving back and their families are going to be giving back,” she said.

“So 100 becomes 200,300, 400 And this is life changing for these young ones.”

And Ms Page said that the Academy could be replicated elsewhere. “What comes out of it is a blueprint … that other corporates that other individuals like myself can copy,” she said. “I hope that other companies, people, corporates see this and contact me about it.”

NSW education secretary Murat Dizdar said the girls at the school “are driven” and determined to capitalise on their teachers’ expertise to succeed.

“A little backing like this can make so much difference to that trajectory for not only that young girl but that entire family.”

Year 11 prefect Hasini Poddaturu was excited at the idea of being shown pathways to a better future.

“I’ve grown up with a family who don’t normally go to university and I know how important tertiary education is,” she said. “It’s really important that you’re empowering everyone to show them that, you know, I can do this.”

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