Irene Fairbairn Fund
Irene Fairbairn’s vision of providing opportunities for young women to travel and experience events within Australia and overseas led to the establishment of the Irene Fairbairn Fund in 1955.
Irene Fairbairn held local, state, national and international positions in Guiding. She was Australia’s first Federal Secretary and first Chief Commissioner. She was keenly interested in the outdoors and particularly in the development of new varieties of daffodils, hence the daffodils on the Irene Fairbairn badge. Irene Fairbairn died in 1974 and is remembered for her warmth, sense of fun and interest in young people.
Funding Support
The Irene Fairbairn Fund aims to help girls and leaders to attend special projects, trainings, camps and conferences in Australia and overseas. Irene Fairbairn Selected Events and the grants available are advertised in state magazines.
Funding is for members -
- 13-35 years for Australian events
- 16-35 years for international events
- Provision is made for an extended age range, provided 75% of funding available is disbursed to those under 35 years of age.
Do dollars Make A Difference?
Funds are available to enable members to attend recognised events in Australia or overseas - except where ‘Fairbairn Challenge’ or ‘Irene Fairbairn Fund Selected Event’ is indicated. When there is a financial need, a girl or leader 16-35 years may apply to her state for assistance from the Irene Fairbairn Fund state allocation.
Fairbairn Challenge
The Fairbairn Challenge is held annually. A ‘challenge’ is set for applicants to complete and 2-3 members between 16 and 35 years are selected to receive the award. Successful Challenge awardees receive at least $1,000 each towards attending a selected overseas event. The Fairbairn Challenge brooch is also presented to recipients.
Selected Events
Irene Fairbairn Selected Events are promoted in state newsletters. Australian participants receive grants from the fund each year for Selected Events.
Special Circumstances
In special circumstances:
- grants are available for interstate participants 13-35 years for events within Australia, except where specific funding is already indicated.
- grants are available to help other countries have representation at events within Australia, with preference to Asia-Pacific countries.
Where do the dollars come from?
The Fund relies on donations from groups and individuals. These donations are invested by Girl Guides Australia to provide the funding for distribution. To encourage the widest possible involvement by Australian young people at events, the fund is increasingly in need of financial assistance.
Could you or your Unit raise some money for the Irene Fairbairn Fund? You may be one of the girls or leaders to receive help one day to go to a national or overseas event. Individual donations to the Irene Fairbairn Fund forwarded to the state or national office are tax deductible.