Mannix Futures Dinner: A Night of Inspiration and Impact
In May, the Mannix College Foundation hosted its signature event, the Futures Dinner, bringing together Old Collegians, parents, donors, and friends of the College to celebrate the life-changing impact of the Mannix College Foundation.
The evening showcased the difference generosity makes, as scholarships continue to open doors for students who might otherwise miss out on the transformative experience of College life and a Monash education.
Guests were privileged to hear from Craig Drummond, one of Australia’s most respected business leaders. Now Chair of Transurban, The Ian Potter Foundation, and the Australian Foundation Investment Company, Craig spoke candidly about his regional upbringing, the role of education in creating opportunity, and the mindset needed to succeed in business, sport, and global leadership.
His reflections found a powerful echo in the story of Zara Boynton, a current Mannix resident and scholarship recipient. Zara grew up in Porepunkah, a small town in north-east Victoria, where she learned grit and determination working on her family’s farm. She shared with guests how her family endured bushfires that destroyed crops, the upheaval of COVID, financial hardship, and her parents’ separation. Through it all, Zara credited her mother’s strength and her own mottos—“She’ll be right” and “Get it done”—with keeping her focused on her dream of studying science at a world-class university.
That dream brought her to Monash University’s Bachelor of Science Advanced – Global Challenges, the only degree of its kind in Australia, blending science with leadership, policy, and entrepreneurship. But, as she told the room, she could not have fully embraced this opportunity without support from the Mannix College Foundation.
“The scholarship gave me something far more valuable than money. It gave me time. Time to be fully present. To breathe. To belong. To become.”
Zara now hopes to return to rural communities to build healthier, fairer, and more sustainable futures—and one day give back to the Foundation that gave her the chance to thrive.
The Futures Dinner also highlighted the enduring importance of community. Alumni reconnected across generations, parents and friends met the students their support empowers, and the spirit of Mannix was on full display.
As Principal Andrew Swan reflected: “The Futures Dinner is more than a fundraiser—it’s a celebration of hope, generosity, and the belief that education changes lives. Every gift to the Foundation is an investment in young people who will go on to lead, serve, and make a difference in the world.”
The Foundation thanks all who attended and contributed. Your generosity ensures that Mannix can continue to provide access, opportunity, and community to the next generation of leaders.
