Building a legacy of inclusion
Edmund Miterski, pictured here with husband, Steve Garood, received a New South Wales Premier’s Scholarship to pursue a Graduate Diploma in Public Administration.
Most of the moments that change our lives only make sense, not to mention impact, in retrospect. But sometimes you can feel the weight of an event as it is happening to you. That’s what happened for Edmund Miterski when he arrived at the University of Sydney. That feeling has stayed with him, and eventually motivated his decision, along with husband Steve Garrood, to leave a generous gift in their Will.
Edmund's journey at the University of Sydney began when he received a New South Wales Premier’s Scholarship to pursue a Graduate Diploma in Public Administration in 2007. Of around 400,000 staff in the NSW public sector, only 50 scholarships are awarded each year.
“Receiving the scholarship to study at the Graduate School of Government was validating,” he says. “This recognition reaffirmed my dedication and fuelled my enthusiasm for academic pursuits ahead.”
Completing his Graduate Diploma in 2008 helped to reshape his view of public service and ignited a newfound courage and ambition.
“I had no idea what impact it would have on my career, I was just expecting to get 2 days off work to go and study a postgraduate course in government administration,” Edmund says.
“A few months into the program, after hearing the lecturers and weekly senior government executive guests, it started to broaden my view of myself and what I could aspire to do career-wise.”
Edmund and Steve have funded scholarships for LGBTQIA+ students in the Business School and Sydney School of Veterinary Science.
He began seeking secondment opportunities at higher levels in the Department of Education, and within a year, Edmund had moved from his role teaching marketing at TAFE to a senior executive role, alongside pursuing a Master of Public Policy.
Reflecting on this journey, Edmund and his husband Steve Garrood are determined to help others experience the same support and so have endowed two scholarships at the University in their Will. One supports LGBTQI+ veterinary science students, inspired by their experiences at the University's Vet Centre with their late golden retriever, Misha. The second focuses on LGBTQI+ students in business, addressing the unique challenges they encounter in the professional world.
When asked about the changes he has seen in the business realm for LGBTQI+ people in his lifetime, Edmund is quick to emphasise that business does not operate in isolation.
“The question should be about the workplace environment and society because the business environment does not operate in isolation. I have seen some change but not enough change,” he says, citing the 2018 National Respect@Work Survey, which found that LGBTQI+ people were more likely to experience sexual harassment in the workplace, and a report from Lloyd’s which found that nearly half of all LGBTQI+ Australians hide their identity at work.
Emphasizing the role of education in overcoming discrimination, Steve advocates for diversity in the business realm. Edmund and Steve, having faced the "pink ceiling" in their careers, are committed to fostering inclusivity. They believe that prominent
LGBTQI+ figures in the community serve as essential role models, underscoring the importance of education in promoting diversity.
The university gave me so much, and we want to contribute to the next generation.
Edmund also notes that continued globalisation, geo-political pressures and a rapidly advancing technological environment places added pressure on workers to be agile.
“People will need to be better prepared for career changes within their working lives,” he says.
Edmund's journey, shaped by his upbringing as the son of Polish and Austrian-Ukrainian immigrants, is a testament to the transformative role education plays in elevating diverse voices and preparing them for a changing world. His experience at the University of Sydney was paradigm-shifting, exposing him to inspiring peers and professionals and showing him that he was “just as good and just as smart”.
Steve sees the scholarships their generous gift will enable, as a crucial step toward achieving true equality in the business world. The couple appreciates connecting with other donors at bequest events, sharing stories of individuals contributing to causes close to their hearts.
“Everybody has got a really good story as to why they want to leave their bequest,” Steve says.
“I met an older gentleman, and he said, ‘I’ve never been to university in my life. I was a butcher and my wife got cured of cancer. And I just thought I’d really like to give some money into medical research’. And I thought, ‘wow’.”
Contributing to the University's future research and initiatives brings them a profound sense of fulfillment, reinforcing their commitment to fostering a more inclusive and diverse future for aspiring students, while also encouraging philanthropy and engagement within the community.
As Edmund succinctly puts it, "The university gave me so much, and we want to contribute to the next generation."
Discover more about how your own legacy can make a lasting personal impact, by supporting students or research in one or more of the many disciplines across the University of Sydney. Read more.
