Western Sydney University has welcomed a $500,000 donation from the Brennan Lynch Foundation that will help support the needs of the university’s LGBTIQA+ community – with a focus on health and medicine.
The donation will support the activities of Rainbow Western, a collective that aims to provide a safe social space for university 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 man behind the foundation, Peter Brennan, pictured, is well known in Macarthur and Wollondilly as the chief executive of Bradcorp, the developer behind several iconic residential communities, including the Cascades and Bridgewater in Camden and Nangarin near Picton.
The Brennan Lynch Foundation is named after Peter and his partner, Michael Lynch.
The donation to the university from the foundation will be matched in full by Western Sydney University.
Interim vice-chancellor and president, Professor Clare Pollock, thanked the 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 Peter Brennan’s longstanding commitment to advancing health and wellbeing in the region,” Prof Pollock said.
“This donation will significantly enhance the vital work of Rainbow Western. It also 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.”
Peter 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.
“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,’’ Mr Brennan said as part of the announcement of the donation.
“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.”
This donation is a great contras to the biggest developer over the last 50 years Lendlease. I would be pleased if anyone could tell me of any donation to the community other than those required by law .