General education

Building confidence and connection: my story as a youth mentor with Raise Foundation

Stacey Katsaros / 26 November 2024

During the stillness of the 2020 COVID lockdowns, Origin employee Stacey began contemplating how to make a meaningful difference once life returned to normal. Years later, that idea came to life through the Raise Foundation, as Stacey volunteered as a youth mentor to help a young person grow in confidence and self-belief. Stacey reflects on her rewarding journey of mentorship—sharing moments of connection, unexpected lessons, and personal and professional growth—highlighting how small, consistent efforts can create lasting change for both mentor and mentee alike.

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Building a stronger community sector

Illuminating remote Aboriginal communities: A journey of philanthropy, land, and connection

Tania Carlos / 30 October 2024

Our very own Tania Carlos, Senior Manager of Specialist Program and Volunteering, led a team of dedicated Origin volunteers to Arnhem Land in the NT to support remote Aboriginal communities. In this piece Tania generously shares her personal perspective of connecting to a place very close to her heart, while being able to provide educational resources and lighting to schools and communities facing energy insecurity.

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Building a stronger community sector

The importance of volunteering skills, not just time

Michelle Zahra / 21 May 2024

Our thinking about volunteering and how we contribute to the community is changing. Cleaning up Australia, packing Christmas hampers and the beloved sausage sizzles will always have an important role to play in our nation’s giving. But today, Australia’s volunteers show up differently. This National Volunteer Week we explore how corporate volunteers can use their skills and expertise to benefit others, not just their employers.

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General education

High school leavers need to be armed with more than just a ranking

Michelle Zahra / 14 December 2023

At at time when Australian students receive their ATARs, Head of the Origin Energy Foundation Michelle Zahra takes a moment to recognise all students who have learned lessons, overcome challenges, achieved personal growth and are ready for their next chapter. She also poses the question if a ranking should be the ultimate endgame after 13 years of formative school life, or if we should be shifting our thinking more towards how we best prepare young people for life after school and careers of the future.

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Corporate Australia: It’s time to volunteer

Ruth Lee / 03 November 2022

The perfect storm is hitting the community sector as calls for support are met with a declining number of volunteers. While millions of hours of volunteer work were lost every week during the pandemic, the dramatic decline in volunteering is also driving further community disconnection. Australia now needs these volunteers back supporting their communities.

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General education

Young people need mentors more than ever

Lucy Snowball / 15 December 2021

With mental health struggles and disengagement from education at an all-time high after this year's lockdowns, young people need our help more than ever. Mentoring is a proven way of helping children to build confidence and re-connect with their learning again. The Raise Foundation is urgently calling for more mentors in 2022.

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STEM education

Give a gift this year that sparks joy in STEM

Sean Barrett / 09 December 2021

This Christmas, don’t buy your daughter a toy pony and your son a science set. Buy them both something that will whet their appetite for maths and sciences. Research shows gender stereotyping begins as young as three or four years of age and can lead to girls switching off to science, engineering, technology and maths careers later in life.

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