Leaving a lasting legacy

What do a physicist, a screenwriter, a physiotherapist and a marketing and communications leader have in common? Whether they’ve come from overseas, over the ditch, across the border or from regional SA, these five are united in their desire to secure a positive future for others and leave a lasting legacy.

Sarah Cutbush

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, UniSA

As a young woman looking at her options to study at university, in the days before UniSA had a campus in her hometown of Mount Gambier, Sarah Cutbush had no choice but to leave the family home.

To offset some of the expense of living in Adelaide, Sarah applied for a scholarship, and the impact of receiving financial support due to the generosity of others still resonates today.

Reflecting on her time at UniSA, Sarah feels that studying away from home, living in a residential college and working part-time in hospitality gave her valuable opportunities to meet people.

When writing her Will, Sarah chose to include a gift to UniSA which will assist students from Mount Gambier to take advantage of the full range of opportunities presented by relocating for study.

“It was a good way to make a difference in a context that’s important to me, while making a difference to the community,” she says of her gift. Community is particularly important to Sarah; outside of her work with UniSA she is President of Surf Lifesaving SA, a volunteer role she is passionate about.

Professor Craig Batty

Executive Dean UniSA Creative

Born in the United Kingdom, Craig Batty studied media, cultural studies and creative writing before completing a PhD in screenwriting. He was a university lecturer in his field before emigrating to Australia in 2012 to expand his career in higher education. Craig came to UniSA in 2021 as Dean of Research for UniSA Creative, before becoming Executive Dean.

It was Craig’s parents, halfway across the world, who encouraged him to make a Will. “They’ve been on at me for many years to do my Will,” he says. “I just never got round to it – I thought it was going to be too hard or too depressing.”

When the first UniSA/Safewill offer was announced earlier this year, Craig joined more than 1000 people who took up the opportunity. “I decided to take the plunge and do it. And it was a strange but good experience.”

Through the process, Craig decided to leave a gift to UniSA in his Will, specifically, and not unsurprisingly, to support future creative arts researchers, and he encourages others to consider the impact that leaving a gift can have.

A message from Professor Craig Batty

Joyti Zwar

UniSA Rural Academic Health: Physiotherapy

Joyti Zwar’s career in physiotherapy began in her native New Zealand before she was attracted to roles in the South Australian hospital, aged care and private sectors where she has held roles in clinical education, health service management, project and policy development as well and clinical service delivery.

Joyti met her husband Wayne, a farmer, at a community cabaret event in the small town of Willowie when she was working as a physio, and her fate was sealed. Today, the couple run sheep and grow crops on their 700-hectare property at Caltowie West.

Knowing that her life’s work will continue to make a difference for the rural communities she cares about gives Joyti Zwar a sense of confidence in the future.

“Thinking about how you want your legacy to look when you pass away is important to anyone, and it doesn’t always have to be the traditional types of gifts that you leave.”

Joyti chose to include a gift to UniSA in her Will to help regional students studying in allied health professions. Her gift will provide scholarships to help take the financial pressure off rural families.

Joyti included her family in drafting her Will and spoke to them about her intentions and the reasons why she supported a cause close to her heart.

“Talking with family was an important part of making the bequest, to say this is what I’d like to happen, so when you do pass on it’s not a surprise and your estate is going to go where you want.”

Joyti’s story was first published in February 2024.

Dr Colin Taylor and Sandra Taylor

Chief Advancement Officer, UniSA

Having lived in most states of Australia, Colin Taylor and his wife Sandra now call South Australia home. Originally trained as a scientist, Colin has a PhD in physics and, after an academic career in Australia and Japan, he diverged into the management of a non-profit science education organisation. He went on to lead the Advancement function at Australian National University before taking up a senior role in a London-based boutique consultancy advising clients on strategies to grow their impact through philanthropic engagement. Today, Colin leads the Advancement Unit at UniSA and works with the University’s community to maximise connection and engagement, and through that, support of UniSA’s mission.

Sandra Taylor has many years’ experience in leadership, management and education.

When Colin and Sandra recently updated their Wills through Safewill, they drew on Sandra’s experience as a student from regional Australia and included a gift to UniSA specifically to help students in similar circumstances.

“My family and I are strong believers in the benefit of education and that it should be available to all, wherever they come from. It’s one of the reasons that I joined UniSA,” says Colin.

A message from Dr Colin Taylor

Writing a Will is one of the most significant ways to protect your family and assets - and leave a lasting legacy. Following the success of our first Free Wills Week back in March, UniSA has again joined forces with Safewill to offer Wills at no charge—but this time for a three-week period. We invite you to join the 1000+ who took advantage of this offer to write your Will, your way, under the guidance of the legal team at Safewill.

While planning your legacy, we ask that you consider leaving a gift in your Will to UniSA. As little as 1% of your estate could make a substantial difference to future education or research. Of course, this is entirely optional, and residents of Australia can still take advantage of the free Will offer, just be sure to lodge your Will by 22 September.

If you have any questions, please contact the Advancement office at bequests@unisa.edu.au