Jennie Mackenzie has given $20 million to the Charles Perkins Centre, located at the University of Sydney in Australia. Jennie Mackenzie spent the first part of her life working to improve the education, well-being, and amusement of children before supporting and mentoring researchers.
While announcing the news, Mark Scott, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sydney said, “So grateful to Jennie Mackenzie, a supporter and mentor to health researchers at the Charles Perkins Centre, who has left $20m to the university. The donation will be invaluable contributions on obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular research”.
The gift of donation will aid with the development of common platforms that will foster and support cross-disciplinary collaboration, as well as early career researchers and the Charles Perkins Centre’s research plan. In support of early career researchers, Mackenzie had already given the Charles Perkins Centre over $900,000.
Before serving as an early childhood adviser for ABC radio, television, and related projects for kids under eight, Jennie Mackenzie directed a preschool. She produced radio and television shows, publications, and programs for TAFE Satellite Education. For an episode of Play School, she won a Television Society of Australia award.
Mackenzie was a founding member of Contact, a body established by the government of New South Wales to offer assistance to isolated kids and their caretakers. She also served as the inaugural president of the 222 Committee, which was established by a group of friends to aid kids attending a kindergarten union center in Sydney’s inner city.
Besides authorities, the researchers of the university welcomed the great gesture of the woman and sent thanking notes on her social media.
