The Tomisich Foundation was incorporated as a charity in 2021 as a philanthropic vehicle for the Tomisich family to give back and create an enduring legacy.
The Foundation has three areas of focus – youth and STEM education, families living in abuse, and the preservation of history with a view of being active givers in areas where gaps exist but can also be solved.
We aim to be a catalyst for youth to build a better world and contribute beyond just being present. To expand their views or their own potential. To learn from and be inspired by history. To consider STEM influenced career choices and interests. And to value the recognition and preservation of culture.
First projects:
- Primary education: Invergowrie featured as part of St Joseph’s Primary School 44th annual Hawthorn Open Houses in 2023 to raise money for STEM.
- Secondary education: Strathcona Girls School Year 9 annual visit to Invergowrie to provide creative inspiration to reflect on history.
- Tertiary education: A partnership with Deakin university to provide experienced based learning to influence and guide career selection.
- Supporting Australia’s STEM ecosystem: A deep partnership with Veski to broaden its purpose of building a STEM community beyond current research and employment.
We aim to facilitate a route for women and their children to navigate and escape abusive situations where they are empowered, are supported, have choices and control to change the course of their lived experience without fear. We will be highly focused and targeted in our approach to achieve sustainable and long-term impact.
We will achieve this by addressing unmet post-intervention support services for women and their children living in abusive environments. We provide sustainable solutions that disrupt cycles of physical, emotional, and financial abuse to create a better life.
First projects:
- We have given the gift of education to children displaced through domestic violence. Emergency accommodation for women and their children facing violence is a lifeline but it comes with displacement of normality. With immediate focus on safety, children living in these environments have no access to schooling and structured learning. This can compound the trauma and impact on them. We are pleased to be partnering with an incredible organisation in Melbourne to provide funding for a teacher in 2024, and exploring further ways we can support their commitment to breaking the cycle of domestic abuse.
and enduring legacy.
and enduring legacy.
We want to play an active role in preserving history and enduring legacy. We see this as not merely an act of reverence for our past, but also an investment in our collective future. History is the bedrock upon which our community evolves, learns, and grows. By dedicating ourselves to the preservation of our cultural heritage, we ensure that the lessons, achievements, and stories of our forebears are not lost in time.
We will achieve this by bridging the past with the future. Whether it’s the conservation of historic landmarks, the digitisation of invaluable archives, or the passing down of ancestral traditions, our commitment to heritage preservation strengthens our sense of identity, fosters a deep appreciation for our roots, and paves the way for future generations to continue building upon the rich tapestry of human history.
First projects:
- Angela Tomisich is a Board Member of the National Trust Foundation actively supporting the costume collection. In February 2024, more than 70 people were hosted at Invergowrie as part of the National Trust’s Benefactors’ program.