Cynthia's Gift - the Cynthia Edgell Empowerment Opportunity Gift

The Cynthia Edgell Empowerment Opportunity Gift

Background

Cynthia Edgell joined the Rotary Melbourne on May 5, 2004. A dedicated Rotarian, Cynthia actively participating in numerous committees, including Vocational Service, which she chaired for several years and spearheaded initiatives like the Club Awards and District Shine-On Awards. She played a significant role in projects such as the East Timor building project and various Mentoring Programs.

Cynthia also contributed as a Club Director and Vice President and was recognised for her service with the Axle Award and reaching the Two-Sapphire Paul Harris level. Cynthia was also the 2020 Wittner Mentoring Awardee. After her death in May 2023 following a long illness, Cynthia bequeathed a sum to Rotary Melbourne which will be used to support women and girls, allowing the Club to continue embodying Cynthia’s spirit of service and leadership.

Collaborating with other agencies

Rotary Melbourne works and partners with agencies that support disadvantaged and underprivileged women and girls in our communities to seek applicants for Cynthia’s Empowerment Opportunity Gift

Cynthia’s gift

Offers of funding between $1000 and $5,000 will be made available to individual women or girls from underprivileged backgrounds to empower them to transform their lives by providing the necessary support to unlock opportunities in critical areas such as education, employment, and financial independence. This will equip recipients with the tools and resources to build a brighter and more secure future.

Application Process 2025

Applications for funding

Applications must be submitted to office@rotarymelbourne.org.au

Qualification Criteria:

Underprivileged Background: Applicants must provide evidence demonstrating that they come from a low-income or disadvantaged background.
Motivation for Personal Growth: Applicants should clearly show a strong commitment to improving their circumstances through education, employment, or skill development.
Barriers to Access: Applicants must demonstrate that they face significant obstacles preventing them from accessing opportunities that could otherwise lead to education, employment, or economic self-sufficiency.
Alignment with Program Goals: Applicants should present a clear and actionable plan for how they intend to use the funding to create lasting change, whether through education, certification, job training, or launching a small business to achieve employment and economic stability.