Supporting good causes in education

Hello. We are a philanthropic foundation, established by Origin in 2010. We believe in the power of education to help create better lives for young Australians.

Great stories of success

All stories

Jessica moved away from home to study vet science in Wagga but recently returned to Griffith with her fiancé and a small menagerie of animals. With a love of good food, wine, cheese and Italian restaurants, she believes the country town lifestyle can’t be beaten.

With the support of her community, Ceridwen completed a Bachelor of Archaeological Practice (Hons) and Doctor of Philosophy (Evolutionary Biology/Palaeoanthropology), receiving a myriad of commendations, awards and accomplishments along the way.

Jacob, who has a powerful connection to the land and his home community, moved his young family to Canberra, where his fiancé was provided an excellent work opportunity. This signalled a change in direction for Jacob who is now studying online for a double degree in environmental science and law. He’s also working with the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Regulator towards a clean and sustainable future. This year he received a 2018 Innovation Award for his contribution to an Emissions Intensive Trade Exposed IT project.

Students from Brisbane and Bathurst are the inaugural recipients of the Origin Foundation Grant King Indigenous Scholarships program. Caitlin Ramsey and Patrick Long were selected for the scholarships which aim to help two Indigenous students each year study for a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Despite being vice-captain of her school and the first in her family to finish year 12, Michal Purcell didn’t leave school with many plans, other than to get married and raise a family of her own.

Did you know…2-3kg of our body weight is made up of bacteria alone? Or, that there’s more living organisms in a handful of soil, than the total number of humans that has ever walked the planet!? Hear more fun facts about science from Marianne Haines in these short ‘Slice of Science’ videos.

There's much to love about country life: fresh air and wide-open spaces; close-knit communities and that certain breed of hospitality found only in a country pub. But if you're a young person living in a regional, rural or remote area, life can be less idyllic when it comes to education. In fact, young people living in the country are amongst Australia's most disadvantaged when it comes to further education and training.

How far could you walk in a day? 10kms, 20kms? Michael Ward clocked up to 66kms per day, when he decided to walk from Origin's Adelaide to Melbourne offices.

Year 5 and 6 students at the Oatley Public School in Sydney were asked to build a sustainable house for Rex and Jemima, who are concerned about climate change. They wanted their home to be fun, comfortable, creative and sustainable. Rex and Jemima may be fictional characters, but the challenge was real: how can a group of 9 and 10 year olds design a comfortable home that reduces waste, generates its own energy, produces its own food, and treads lightly on the environment?

Meet our partners

We are proud to work with a range of non-profit organisations that use education to help young people become the best that they can be. In addition, we partner with charities that provide Origin employees with a variety of volunteering opportunities.

Our partners

Read moreSupporting the scaling of AIME's programs

The Origin Foundation partnered with AIME to help indigenous students achieve. Find out more!

Read moreFunding the evaluation of their education model

The Origin Foundation partnered with Big Picture Education Australia to fund the evaluation of their education model.

Read moreFunding scholarships for early childhood teachers

The Origin Foundation partnered with Mission Australia to fund scholarships for early childhood teachers.

Read moreProviding funding to help expand CEFA's work

The Origin Foundation partnered with Country Education Foundation of Australia to provide funding to help expand CEFA's work.

Read moreSupporting the development of their education model

The Origin Foundation partnered with Gawura to support the development of their education model.

Read moreSupporting the development of the Let's Count early childhood numeracy program