THE LYRA TAYLOR FUND: Origins & Purpose

THE LYRA TAYLOR FUND: Origins & Purpose

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THE LYRA TAYLOR FUND: Origins & Purpose

About Lyra Taylor

Lyra TaylorIn 1944, Lyra Taylor became the first social worker in the Commonwealth Department of Social Services and helped change how governments delivered their social services programs. Lyra had forged a successful legal career in New Zealand, studied in America and worked in Canada before taking up her post as the department’s first social worker. She obtained a Master’s degree in social economics and social work. She was then appointed Administrative Officer of the Social Work and Research Branch in the Department of Social Services in 1944.

Professor of Social Work at Melbourne University, Dr Leonard Tierney, paid tribute to Lyra for her dedication to social work, despite the challenges and controversy of her role at the time. Lyra chivvied and persuaded social workers to enlarge their vision of themselves, the world and their professional contribution. To the young she was kind and she had a way of enlisting you to causes which was difficult to resist.

We need to remember how difficult it was for women then to achieve positions commensurate with their ability, or even to find their way into a university. After her retirement, Lyra continued to be active in various social councils representing and advocating for older Australians. After her death in 1979, AASW Victoria, to whom Lyra bequeathed her estate, established the Lyra Taylor Fund. As stated in Lyra’s obituary, “the social work profession in Australia owes an enormous amount to the work of Lyra Taylor”. Pictured above, Miss Lyra Taylor aged 29 in 1925.

What is the purpose of the Lyra Taylor Fund?

As mentioned above, Lyra Taylor bequeathed her estate to the AASW Victorian Branch. A fund was established, to distribute varying amounts of funding to the education and professional development of social workers. This funding is delivered by way of grants, depending on the capacity of the Fund and the quality of the Applications received. Lyra was dedicated to advancing the professionalism and standing of social work through development and training.

  1. To advance education in relation to Social Work by:
    • Promoting, improving, and maintaining standards of professional practice, education, and research.
    • Establishing and maintaining continuing professional education opportunities for members.
    • Educating and informing the public and community institutions as to the aims and objectives of professional Social Work; and
  2. To encourage and financially support special projects that will benefit the community.

Grants from the fund may be made to current financial members of the AASW (Victorian Branch) for projects consistent with the Fund’s purpose. The Lyra Taylor Fund is managed by Equity Trustees Charitable Foundation – Lyra Taylor Account (EQT) and the decision to allocate grants to applicants is conducted through the Lyra Taylor Decision Committee.

For the FY2026/2027 there is $10,000 available in grant funding

The AASW gratefully acknowledges the generous bequest from the late Madelaine Crump to the Victorian Branch. Her contribution of $3,000 supported the establishment of the Madelaine Crump Award, recognising excellence in social work field education.  Although the award ceased prior to 2014, the balance of funds of $3,186 have been transferred to the Lyra Taylor Fund, ensuring Madelaine’s legacy continues to support the profession..

About Lyra Taylor Guidelines for Application

The Lyra Taylor Decision Committee has established the following guidelines in administering the Fund:
  •  The principal researcher must be a current financial member of the AASW (Victorian Branch).
  • The application needs to be submitted through the principal researcher’s organisation which must have DGR1 status (Deductable Gift Recipient).
  • Preference in the applications for grants will be given to practitioners in the field.
  • Projects for which applications are considered include workshops, honoraria for work on behalf of a group, preparation and/or publication costs of approved material, practice-based research projects and the preparation of material for professional development. Projects that are intended for commercial use or gain will not normally be granted funding, as this may conflict with the objectives and community-focused intent of the Lyra Taylor Fund.
  • Grants are NOT made for travel costs, conference registration, or accommodation.
  • Any publication on a project funded in full or in part by the Fund, or any report of a project so funded, should include acknowledgement of the assistance received from the Fund.
  • Funding of a project does not necessarily imply endorsement by the AASW.
  • A final Evaluation Report, including the project findings and a detailed account of grant expenditure, must be submitted to and approved by the Lyra Taylor Decision Committee. Each section must contain sufficient detail for approval. The grant is paid in two instalments: 80% at the start of the project and the remaining 20% after the Committee approves the final report.
  • Any changes to the principal researcher or project staff are required to be approved by the Lyra Taylor Decision Committee. The principal researcher must always be a current financial member of the AASW (Victorian Branch).
  • There is no appeal against decisions by the Lyra Taylor Decision Committee.

About Lyra Taylor Application Process

The Lyra Taylor Decision Committee has established the following application process:

  1. Funding guidelines and the online application form can be accessed via the Equity Trustees’ website.
  2. Complete an expression of interest by 5pm on Friday, 4 December 2026.
  3. The Lyra Taylor Decision Committee will review EOIs and invite selected applicants to proceed to a full application.
  4. Invited applications (including a link to the online application form) close at 5.00pm on Friday, 26 February 2027.
  5. The Lyra Taylor Decision Committee will assess invited applications, and outcomes will be advised by Friday, 26 March 2027.
  6. Successful applicants will be required to complete a Grant Agreement via Equity Trustees, which manages the funds of the Equity Trustees Charitable Foundation – Lyra Taylor Account (EQT).
  7. A progress report will be required midway through the conduct of the project.
  8. Any changes to the principal researcher or project staff are required to be approved by the Lyra Taylor Decision Committee.
  9. A final evaluation report must be submitted to the Lyra Taylor Decision Committee within two months of project completion.
  10. Grant funding is divided into two parts: 80% of the grant funding is paid at the commencement of the project, and the final payment of 20% is paid when the final report is received and approved by the Committee. For the final report to be approved, each section must be completed and contain sufficient detail.
  11. Projects intended for commercial use or gain will not normally be granted funding, as this may conflict with the objectives and community-focused intent of the Lyra Taylor Fund.

Should you have any questions regarding accessing the form or completing this application, please contact the Equity Trustees Granting Team via email at [email protected].