Western Sydney University receives transformational donation to support LGBTIQA+ community
Dr Peter Brennan AM
Western Sydney University has welcomed a philanthropic donation from The Brennan Lynch Foundation that will help support the needs of the University’s LGBTIQA+ community with a focus on the areas of health and medicine.
The transformative donation will support the activities of Rainbow Western (opens in a new window), a collective that aims to provide a safe social space for Western staff who self-identify as LGBTIQA+ and facilitate peer-support, mentoring and collaborations among its members, as well as advocating for Western Sydney University LGBTQIA+ matters.
The generous and substantial gift of $500,000 from The Brennan Lynch Foundation will be matched in full by the University.
Interim Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Clare Pollock, thanked The Brennan Lynch Foundation for its generous support of Rainbow Western.
“As a foundational supporter of the University’s School of Medicine, which is training the next generation of doctors for Western Sydney, we acknowledge Dr Peter Brennan’s longstanding commitment to advancing health and wellbeing in the region,” said Professor Pollock.
“This donation will significantly enhance the vital work of Rainbow Western and aligns with the University’s commitment to creating an inclusive, safe and respectful environment for all members of our community and to empowering our LGBTIQA+ staff.”
Dr Peter Brennan AM said, “It’s about us doing our bit to ensure people in South-West and Western Sydney have access and knowledge to a range of care and services that are available through the University. Highlighting this important program is of paramount importance for the community and on behalf of The Brennan Lynch Foundation, we are very pleased we can help.”
Dr Brennan has been a longstanding supporter of Western Sydney University’s School of Medicine, making a major donation on behalf of Bradcorp in 2007 to establish what is now the Peter Brennan Chair of General Practice.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was conferred an Honorary Doctorate by the University in 2011 at the School’s inaugural graduation ceremony.
Western Sydney University provides a range of services for LGBTIQA+ students and staff, including support networks, facilities, policies and strategies.
For more information about these initiatives and others, please visit the LGBTIQA+ Support web page (opens in a new window).
ENDS
17 April 2024
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