Janurary 27, 2007 – South Pacific Division Record

The Avondale Foundation, founded in 1978 as an initiative of businessman Lyn Knight, provided some surprises at the college’s graduation ceremony on December 4, 2006.

The foundation used the graduation ceremony to present Dr John Cox, president of Avondale College, with a letter of guarantee for $A305,000 for scholarships, staff research and work to begin on extensions to Andre and Watson residential halls in 2007.

At the foundation’s annual general meeting in October 2006 (see “ACF funds growth,” Features, December 16, 2006), Dr Cox asked for $55,000 for staff research, to which the foundation agreed. They also approved $A150,000 for academic excellence scholarships.

Dr Norm Young, president of the Avondale Foundation, said to Dr Cox during the presentation ceremony, “Having got $A205,000, you, like Oliver Twist, audaciously asked for more. You asked for $A0.5 million extra to be given over five years for extensions to Andre and Watson. Now, Dr Cox, you frequently come away with less than you asked for. You must have been surprised, then, when the foundation said yes. It gives me great pleasure to give you the letter of guarantee.”

In response, Dr Cox said he was not surprised the foundation had provided the funding, as he has had many experiences in the past of the foundation’s generosity to the college.

Dr Young said to the students, family and friends gathered for the graduation ceremony, “Have you ever wondered why the businessmen sitting with me on the foundation’s executive freely give so much of their time and expertise? You, the students and graduands, are the reason they do it. They believe in you.”

RECORD staff & Norm Young