Whilst the world grapples with the health and economic crisis and we are all faced with an unsettling and challenging future, we would still like to share some uplifting stories in our 2019 Annual Report. It showcases so much good work that occurs in communities, and the diversity of our partners across our areas of focus – health, social welfare and education and employment.
Our commitment and thanks go to the hardworking teams and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities dedicated to the elimination of rheumatic heart disease and scabies. Our support for these communities is even more important with the current emphasis on community health and hygiene.
We are thrilled with the Good360 team who are leading the way in matching brand-new goods from businesses to communities in need, especially to those communities trying to recover from the bushfires. Our reach to the areas heavily impacted with drought and bushfires is expanding through our new five-year partnership with Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, focused on building a stronger more resilient community sector in the NSW south coast region.
Our support to the #RaisetheRate campaign led by the Australian Council of Social Services is ongoing, together with other philanthropists. Although temporary, it is encouraging to see the doubling of the Newstart Allowance for six-months as part of the government’s recent stimulus package, as a raise is needed now more than ever.
Our community engagement and support to effective philanthropy continued, hosting our bi-annual community lunch with our partners in Canberra, co-hosting The Funding Network, progressing the Canberra Vital Signs Conversations, and significantly increasing our support to the Sydney Women’s Fund to support their gender-lens place-based work. We also enjoyed supporting the work of Documentary Australia Foundation and seeing the documentaries The Final Quarter and In My Blood It Runs gain so much traction across the nation.
We want to reassure you that we will continue to support our partners and work together through this challenging time. We are also prepared to be flexible and responsive. Our organisation and others in the philanthropic community want to play a critical role in supporting individuals and communities.
We hope you enjoy taking a moment to read our 2019 Annual Report and other stories we post on Facebook.
We look forward to continuing the work of the Foundation on behalf of the Board.
