South Sydney are set to be the biggest grossing Sydney-based NRL club for the second successive year, with the Rabbitohs' projected income for this season totalling $15 million.
It's a far cry from just three years ago when Souths operated on a mere $9.5m budget. But the problem they face - as with each of the city's other eight clubs - is that expenditure far outstrips their revenue. In the Rabbitohs' case, this year's deficit is expected to be about $1m - but only after some serious cost cutting over recent months that it is hoped will lead to the club breaking even next season before eventually becoming profitable.
As remarkable as it may seem to many outside the club, Souths are in a stronger financial position than last year when they earned $14m but ran at a loss of $4m.
Many of their Sydney rivals would have incurred similar losses last season without a cheque from their leagues club to cover the amount of their shortfall, and few generated income above $10m.
Unlike their rivals, Souths don't currently have a leagues club and even when they did, it rarely made money - ensuring the Rabbitohs were weaned off the poker machine dependence threatening the game long before the NSW Government upped the taxes, which - combined with anti-smoking legislation - are being blamed for endangering the future of other Sydney clubs.
While some may not survive, the Rabbitohs will - and without relocating to Gosford - because of the steps put in place since members voted to sell a 75 per cent stake in the club to Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court at the start of the 2006 season.
Because of their disappointing on-field performances this season, the perception may be that nothing much has changed at Redfern but as their rivals begin to seriously consider for the first time alternative revenue sources to fund their teams, the new Souths are ahead of the game and boast the biggest sponsorship, the largest membership and the most lucrative stadium deal of any Sydney club.
However, transforming the decaying club has required significant expenditure and last year the Rabbitohs spent $18m.
The new owners had high aspirations for Souths and Holmes a Court, in the role of executive chairman, seemed determined to ensure that whatever he thought would help make the club more successful was done - sometimes with little regard to the cost.
As a result, the off-field staffing numbers at Souths grew from 13 to 48 - more than double what most other clubs employ and a figure that has now been cut to 22 - as Holmes a Court focused on increasing revenue to match spending. With another multimillion-dollar deficit looming, the club did what most other businesses would do and began slashing costs to try and not only meet the $1.5m to $2m shortfall initially budgeted for this year but reduce their losses even further.
Whether or not Holmes a Court and Crowe fell out over the financial situation is the subject of much speculation but the main concern of the Oscar-winning actor is thought to be getting his beloved team winning again in the belief that success on the field holds the key to success off it.
Holmes a Court is only a recent convert - firstly to Souths and then the game - but the West Australian-born businessman is an innovator and his idea to separately sell naming rights for the club's home and away jerseys - as well as their training kit, a first in the NRL - resulted in the value of Souths' major sponsorship deals more than doubling.
But with Souths struggling at the bottom of the table after just one win from 10 matches, the decision taken before the season to hold out for a more lucrative away sponsor has not paid off.
In addition, merchandise sales, membership numbers and attendances at ANZ Stadium - where Souths receive a guaranteed income of about $100,000 per match but can earn more if the crowd passes a certain figure - are also affecting the club's bottom line but also have the potential to turn around when the team starts performing again.
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South Sydney Rabbitohs
NRL
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Saturday, May 31, 2008
"Walk for Julian" - When: 20th July 2008
"Walk for Julian"
Where: Dubbo - Wellington
When: 20 July 2008
Start time: 5am
Finish time: 5pm
On Sunday 20 July 2008 I/we will walk from Dubbo to Wellington, country NSW in support for Julian.
In January this year, 3yr old Julian suffered very serious injuries whilst playing in the family. He has undergone 9 operations, has battled infections and still remains in Westmead Childrens Hospital, Sydney. His family have relocated to Sydney to be with Julian in his long recovery. Support Walk for Julian by sponsoring me in my journey to raise awareness to the potential hazards associated with older style pool & spa filters and raise some funds to aid in his recovery.
Taking baby steps forward with courage, patience and inner strength. The path ahead is not always smooth or easy, but with support, unity and love we can achieve great things together.
For further information
Contact : Kym Patricia Coon
Address : 7 Leichhardt Street Dubbo NSW 2830
Phone : 0402754606
Email : sales@yogawithkym.com.au
WWW : Yoga With Kym
Website
Walk For Julian - Community Builders NSW
Media Man Australia Profiles
Julian's Story
Kym Patricia Coon
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Where: Dubbo - Wellington
When: 20 July 2008
Start time: 5am
Finish time: 5pm
On Sunday 20 July 2008 I/we will walk from Dubbo to Wellington, country NSW in support for Julian.
In January this year, 3yr old Julian suffered very serious injuries whilst playing in the family. He has undergone 9 operations, has battled infections and still remains in Westmead Childrens Hospital, Sydney. His family have relocated to Sydney to be with Julian in his long recovery. Support Walk for Julian by sponsoring me in my journey to raise awareness to the potential hazards associated with older style pool & spa filters and raise some funds to aid in his recovery.
Taking baby steps forward with courage, patience and inner strength. The path ahead is not always smooth or easy, but with support, unity and love we can achieve great things together.
For further information
Contact : Kym Patricia Coon
Address : 7 Leichhardt Street Dubbo NSW 2830
Phone : 0402754606
Email : sales@yogawithkym.com.au
WWW : Yoga With Kym
Website
Walk For Julian - Community Builders NSW
Media Man Australia Profiles
Julian's Story
Kym Patricia Coon
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Times are tough, but Aussies keep giving - The Sydney Morning Herald - 30th May 2008
Australians just never stop giving, no matter what the circumstances.
Despite high interest rates and the soaring cost of petrol and food putting pressure on the household budget, charities continue to benefit from the nation's generosity.
Donations to the Salvation Army's annual Red Shield appeal are up about 12 per cent from last year, having raised $6.2 million, according to an interim result.
And figures from an Institute of Chartered Accountants business forum in Melbourne this week show donations to charities haven risen by 12.5 per cent each year.
Head of philanthropic services at financial services company Perpetual, David Knowles, said many people were moved to donate by the sight of their fellow Australians struggling.
"When you have that heightened awareness that there are people in need, then Australians are generous and will respond," Mr Knowles said.
The Giving Australia report, released in October 2005, found 87 per cent of Australians donated to charities and collectively handed over $7.7 billion in 2004.
The Salvation Army's Red Shield appeal director Major Gary Masters said this year's door knock showed the importance of trying to look after those less fortunate even when the finances of those donating were stretched thin.
"We think it reflects the overall responsibility that Australians feel to look after one another," Mr Masters said of the door knock.
Major Masters likened this ability to donate as akin to farmers coping with the drought.
"Farmers have this wonderful ability (to) tighten their belts when times are tough and get through another year of drought," Mr Masters said.
"Australians seem to be able to do the same thing. When times are tough, they seem to find that their pockets are deeper."
Major Masters said appeals for overseas aid following natural disasters such as the earthquakes in China or flooding in Burma were unlikely to stop the flow of money, given past experience.
He said the Red Shield Appeal's best year for collections was 2005, a year where Australians donated about $400 million towards aid efforts for victims of the Boxing Day tsunami that killed about 200,000 people across Asia.
Workplaces were expected also to play their part.
Mr Knowles said workers who were part of Generation Y - those born between 1983 and 1997 - expected companies to have some form of charitable activity.
"That particular generation seems to have an acute social awareness," Mr Knowles said.
"That's either expecting the company to do stuff in the community, or expecting the company to allow you as the employee to do something personally."
The Giving Australia report said 67 per cent of businesses donated to charity and in the 2003/04 financial year they gave $3.2 billion.
Major Masters said there was an increased number of door knockers and volunteers for this year's Red Shield appeal, with between 45,000-48,000 people across the nation hitting the pavement.
"It is just outstanding that people have that philanthropic attitude and that willingness to give up a little bit of their time to help their fellow Australians," Major Masters said.
Salvation Army
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Despite high interest rates and the soaring cost of petrol and food putting pressure on the household budget, charities continue to benefit from the nation's generosity.
Donations to the Salvation Army's annual Red Shield appeal are up about 12 per cent from last year, having raised $6.2 million, according to an interim result.
And figures from an Institute of Chartered Accountants business forum in Melbourne this week show donations to charities haven risen by 12.5 per cent each year.
Head of philanthropic services at financial services company Perpetual, David Knowles, said many people were moved to donate by the sight of their fellow Australians struggling.
"When you have that heightened awareness that there are people in need, then Australians are generous and will respond," Mr Knowles said.
The Giving Australia report, released in October 2005, found 87 per cent of Australians donated to charities and collectively handed over $7.7 billion in 2004.
The Salvation Army's Red Shield appeal director Major Gary Masters said this year's door knock showed the importance of trying to look after those less fortunate even when the finances of those donating were stretched thin.
"We think it reflects the overall responsibility that Australians feel to look after one another," Mr Masters said of the door knock.
Major Masters likened this ability to donate as akin to farmers coping with the drought.
"Farmers have this wonderful ability (to) tighten their belts when times are tough and get through another year of drought," Mr Masters said.
"Australians seem to be able to do the same thing. When times are tough, they seem to find that their pockets are deeper."
Major Masters said appeals for overseas aid following natural disasters such as the earthquakes in China or flooding in Burma were unlikely to stop the flow of money, given past experience.
He said the Red Shield Appeal's best year for collections was 2005, a year where Australians donated about $400 million towards aid efforts for victims of the Boxing Day tsunami that killed about 200,000 people across Asia.
Workplaces were expected also to play their part.
Mr Knowles said workers who were part of Generation Y - those born between 1983 and 1997 - expected companies to have some form of charitable activity.
"That particular generation seems to have an acute social awareness," Mr Knowles said.
"That's either expecting the company to do stuff in the community, or expecting the company to allow you as the employee to do something personally."
The Giving Australia report said 67 per cent of businesses donated to charity and in the 2003/04 financial year they gave $3.2 billion.
Major Masters said there was an increased number of door knockers and volunteers for this year's Red Shield appeal, with between 45,000-48,000 people across the nation hitting the pavement.
"It is just outstanding that people have that philanthropic attitude and that willingness to give up a little bit of their time to help their fellow Australians," Major Masters said.
Salvation Army
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneur From Britain Opens Charity in America, By Stephanie Strom - The New York Times - 19th September 2006
The Virgin Group, the cluster of companies founded by Sir Richard Branson, is introducing its particular brand of corporate philanthropy to the United States today.
Called Virgin Unite, it is an independent charity that combines financing and volunteers from the company with financing and volunteers from the public in social outreach work and philanthropic undertakings.
“I wouldn’t say we do it in a better way than other companies, just a different way,” Mr. Branson in a telephone interview from Spain.
Mr. Branson donates the $4 million to $5 million he receives annually for speaking engagements to Virgin Unite; the Virgin Group covers the charity’s costs and donates products, services and employees’ skills. That, in turn, furthers Virgin Unite’s aims of supporting business models that lead to social and environmental changes, help entrepreneurs, and connect people to grass-roots organizations around the world that can use their money and skills.
In South Africa, for instance, it is building a hospital that will sell basic health services to generate income to support itself but will provide free care for H.I.V., AIDS and tuberculosis.
It is raising money to support a charity that uses motorcycles to get health care workers into remote areas and connect patients there to health care centers.
It is creating a corps of musicians who will help raise money and awareness of social problems through events like a coming dinner at Nobu with Natalie Imbruglia, the Australian singer who is the spokeswoman for the United Nations Campaign to End Fistula.
Jean Oelwang, managing director of Virgin Unite, said: “One of our goals is to go out and find the best grass-roots, entrepreneurial organizations and help connect staff, customers and others to them to give them time, cash, stuff and voices that will help them scale up.”
In the United States, Virgin Unite has started working with Stand Up for Kids, a nonprofit group working with homeless children, and Youth Noise, a social networking site that helps young people get involved in causes and explore social issues.
“The idea is that young people have the most energy and passion of these sorts of things, and they relate to our brand so we can speak to them and reach them,” said Darin Spurgeon, the charity’s Americas director.
The American arm of Virgin Unite will also focus on global warming, which will complement the work that Virgin Group is doing to develop alternative fuels, Mr. Branson said. “Some initiatives on clean fuel will be completely charitable by nature,” he said.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Virgin Unite
Virgin
Richard Branson
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Called Virgin Unite, it is an independent charity that combines financing and volunteers from the company with financing and volunteers from the public in social outreach work and philanthropic undertakings.
“I wouldn’t say we do it in a better way than other companies, just a different way,” Mr. Branson in a telephone interview from Spain.
Mr. Branson donates the $4 million to $5 million he receives annually for speaking engagements to Virgin Unite; the Virgin Group covers the charity’s costs and donates products, services and employees’ skills. That, in turn, furthers Virgin Unite’s aims of supporting business models that lead to social and environmental changes, help entrepreneurs, and connect people to grass-roots organizations around the world that can use their money and skills.
In South Africa, for instance, it is building a hospital that will sell basic health services to generate income to support itself but will provide free care for H.I.V., AIDS and tuberculosis.
It is raising money to support a charity that uses motorcycles to get health care workers into remote areas and connect patients there to health care centers.
It is creating a corps of musicians who will help raise money and awareness of social problems through events like a coming dinner at Nobu with Natalie Imbruglia, the Australian singer who is the spokeswoman for the United Nations Campaign to End Fistula.
Jean Oelwang, managing director of Virgin Unite, said: “One of our goals is to go out and find the best grass-roots, entrepreneurial organizations and help connect staff, customers and others to them to give them time, cash, stuff and voices that will help them scale up.”
In the United States, Virgin Unite has started working with Stand Up for Kids, a nonprofit group working with homeless children, and Youth Noise, a social networking site that helps young people get involved in causes and explore social issues.
“The idea is that young people have the most energy and passion of these sorts of things, and they relate to our brand so we can speak to them and reach them,” said Darin Spurgeon, the charity’s Americas director.
The American arm of Virgin Unite will also focus on global warming, which will complement the work that Virgin Group is doing to develop alternative fuels, Mr. Branson said. “Some initiatives on clean fuel will be completely charitable by nature,” he said.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Virgin Unite
Virgin
Richard Branson
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Thursday, May 29, 2008
GARRETT MEDIA RELEASE: - Increased support for Aboriginal Art Centres - 29th May 2008
Australia’s Indigenous arts industry will be strengthened thanks to $1.6 million worth of additional funding announced today by Arts Minister, Peter Garrett.
Delivering on a 2007 election commitment to boost support to Aboriginal art centres, 32 organisations have been funded to carry out 37 projects, many of them involving urgently-required infrastructure work.
The $1.6 million in additional 2007–08 NACIS funding will support infrastructure, professional development, marketing and governance projects around the nation, including:
* In South Australia: $138 500 to assist Tjala Arts at Amata in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands to construct a new art centre;
* In Western Australia: $50 000 for Martumili Artists in the East Pilbara to upgrade its art centre by providing essential staff accommodation;
* In the Northern Territory: $250 000 for the Ikuntji Community Inc at Haast’s Bluff to extend and improve the infrastructure of their growing arts centre;
* In Queensland: $65 000 for the Bynoe Community Advancement Cooperative in Normanton to build work space for an extra 25 artists;
* In New South Wales: $25 000 to Arts Northern Rivers, Alstonville to upgrade arts facilities for local Indigenous artists; and
* In Victoria: $25,000 to enable East Gippsland Aboriginal Art Cooperative, Bairnsdale to deliver governance training and professional development for artists.
”Indigenous arts and crafts practice has developed into an internationally renowned industry,” Mr Garret said.
“Strong art centres, and the industry organisations that support them, play a crucial role in maintaining culture as well as generating income and employment opportunities.”
“The Australian Government is strongly committed to initiatives that provide the sector with the support and infrastructure they need to create and market their work.”
Mr Garrett said the planned introduction of a resale royalty scheme would further support the Indigenous arts community and provide artists with proper recognition of their ongoing rights in their work.
The $1.6 million funding is part of the Government’s $7.6 million election commitment to strengthen the Indigenous arts industry which is being delivered through the National Arts and Craft Industry Support (NACIS) program. The funding increases support through NACIS, the Indigenous visual arts Special Initiative and the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy in 2007–08 to $8.7 million.
Visit www.arts.gov.au/indig for information on projects supported in this funding round and in coming months to view the details of the successful applicants for 2008–09 NACIS funding.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Peter Garrett
Arts
Aboriginal and Indigenous Media
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Delivering on a 2007 election commitment to boost support to Aboriginal art centres, 32 organisations have been funded to carry out 37 projects, many of them involving urgently-required infrastructure work.
The $1.6 million in additional 2007–08 NACIS funding will support infrastructure, professional development, marketing and governance projects around the nation, including:
* In South Australia: $138 500 to assist Tjala Arts at Amata in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands to construct a new art centre;
* In Western Australia: $50 000 for Martumili Artists in the East Pilbara to upgrade its art centre by providing essential staff accommodation;
* In the Northern Territory: $250 000 for the Ikuntji Community Inc at Haast’s Bluff to extend and improve the infrastructure of their growing arts centre;
* In Queensland: $65 000 for the Bynoe Community Advancement Cooperative in Normanton to build work space for an extra 25 artists;
* In New South Wales: $25 000 to Arts Northern Rivers, Alstonville to upgrade arts facilities for local Indigenous artists; and
* In Victoria: $25,000 to enable East Gippsland Aboriginal Art Cooperative, Bairnsdale to deliver governance training and professional development for artists.
”Indigenous arts and crafts practice has developed into an internationally renowned industry,” Mr Garret said.
“Strong art centres, and the industry organisations that support them, play a crucial role in maintaining culture as well as generating income and employment opportunities.”
“The Australian Government is strongly committed to initiatives that provide the sector with the support and infrastructure they need to create and market their work.”
Mr Garrett said the planned introduction of a resale royalty scheme would further support the Indigenous arts community and provide artists with proper recognition of their ongoing rights in their work.
The $1.6 million funding is part of the Government’s $7.6 million election commitment to strengthen the Indigenous arts industry which is being delivered through the National Arts and Craft Industry Support (NACIS) program. The funding increases support through NACIS, the Indigenous visual arts Special Initiative and the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy in 2007–08 to $8.7 million.
Visit www.arts.gov.au/indig for information on projects supported in this funding round and in coming months to view the details of the successful applicants for 2008–09 NACIS funding.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Peter Garrett
Arts
Aboriginal and Indigenous Media
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Power pair Russell Crowe and Robert Holmes a Court pumped $5m into Rabbitohs, by Brent Read and Anthony Klan - The Australian - 28th May 2008
Saving the South Sydney Rabbitohs has cost Peter Holmes a Court and Russell Crowe $5 million, with Crowe putting $1million of his own money into the club on the day Mr Holmes a Court relinquished control of the board.
Yet as sources within the rugby league club play down the extent of the rift between the Hollywood gladiator and the second-generation businessman, The Australian can confirm both men stand to profit directly from a potentially lucrative property deal.
It is understood Mr Holmes a Court has sunk $4 million of his own fortune into the Rabbitohs since taking a 75 per cent controlling share of the club with Crowe two years ago.
While Crowe has been less spendthrift than his boardroom partner, he committed more than $1 million to the club's ongoing salvage operation at a board meeting on Monday - the day he accepted Mr Holmes a Court's resignation as executive chairman.
Speculation has surrounded the motives behind the club's 2006 rescue package offered to prop up the then failing licensed South Sydney Leagues Club. It now appears Mr Holmes a Court and Crowe stand to profit handsomely from a planned redevelopment of the Leagues Club's Chalmers Street premises in Redfern.
The club bought the address by open tender for $13.2 million and subsequently entered a joint venture agreement to develop the property. It is expected to deliver Mr Holmes a Court and Crowe - as part-owners of the club - millions of dollars in profits when completed towards the end of this year.
The developer behind the project, Trivest, yesterday pointed out that Crowe and Mr Holmes a Court would also bear any loss from the project. He said associated costs could climb as high as $20 million.
However, property industry experts said the completed project could fetch upwards of $35 million when completed.
Any profits flowing from the deployment will be split between South Sydney Rugby League Football Club (50 per cent) and Trivest and fellow property group Sakkara, which each hold a quarter stake in the project. The pair's profit margin will be determined by the state of the market, which has deteriorated substantially since 2006, at the end of the year when the development is completed.
Club sources said that had Crowe not pledged $1 million in funding at the meeting where Mr Holmes a Court stood down in the middle of a disastrous season, Souths' immediate future would have been in doubt.
Yesterday, the club was forced to respond to questions raised by former Rabbitohs boss George Piggins in an interview with Sydney broadcaster Alan Jones about its government-funded charity, Souths Care.
In a statement, the Rabbitohs and Souths Care described as unsubstantiated claims the charity had failed to account for $2million of federal government funding for an indigenous employment scheme.
Additional reporting: Ashleigh Wilson
Media Man Australia Profiles
Peter Holmes a Court
Russell Crowe
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Yet as sources within the rugby league club play down the extent of the rift between the Hollywood gladiator and the second-generation businessman, The Australian can confirm both men stand to profit directly from a potentially lucrative property deal.
It is understood Mr Holmes a Court has sunk $4 million of his own fortune into the Rabbitohs since taking a 75 per cent controlling share of the club with Crowe two years ago.
While Crowe has been less spendthrift than his boardroom partner, he committed more than $1 million to the club's ongoing salvage operation at a board meeting on Monday - the day he accepted Mr Holmes a Court's resignation as executive chairman.
Speculation has surrounded the motives behind the club's 2006 rescue package offered to prop up the then failing licensed South Sydney Leagues Club. It now appears Mr Holmes a Court and Crowe stand to profit handsomely from a planned redevelopment of the Leagues Club's Chalmers Street premises in Redfern.
The club bought the address by open tender for $13.2 million and subsequently entered a joint venture agreement to develop the property. It is expected to deliver Mr Holmes a Court and Crowe - as part-owners of the club - millions of dollars in profits when completed towards the end of this year.
The developer behind the project, Trivest, yesterday pointed out that Crowe and Mr Holmes a Court would also bear any loss from the project. He said associated costs could climb as high as $20 million.
However, property industry experts said the completed project could fetch upwards of $35 million when completed.
Any profits flowing from the deployment will be split between South Sydney Rugby League Football Club (50 per cent) and Trivest and fellow property group Sakkara, which each hold a quarter stake in the project. The pair's profit margin will be determined by the state of the market, which has deteriorated substantially since 2006, at the end of the year when the development is completed.
Club sources said that had Crowe not pledged $1 million in funding at the meeting where Mr Holmes a Court stood down in the middle of a disastrous season, Souths' immediate future would have been in doubt.
Yesterday, the club was forced to respond to questions raised by former Rabbitohs boss George Piggins in an interview with Sydney broadcaster Alan Jones about its government-funded charity, Souths Care.
In a statement, the Rabbitohs and Souths Care described as unsubstantiated claims the charity had failed to account for $2million of federal government funding for an indigenous employment scheme.
Additional reporting: Ashleigh Wilson
Media Man Australia Profiles
Peter Holmes a Court
Russell Crowe
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Money talks as billionaire set cheques out Rudd, by Andrew Hornery - The Sydney Morning Herald - 21st May 2008
MINUS the white gloves and corsage but with plenty of suitors, Kevin Rudd experienced something of a society debut yesterday when he broke bread with some of Sydney's wealthiest families.
The Prime Minister was the keynote speaker at the annual Sydney Cancer Centre Foundation luncheon, where he announced the Federal Government was donating $50 million to the centre, which encompasses Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Concord Hospital and the University of Sydney.
And there was no clearer evidence of how cancer transcends the socio-economic divide than the gathering of silvertails and society types who turned up to meet the PM.
Guests had each shelled out $1000. Not only did they get to dine on "gently sealed scallops on cauliflower puree, beef tenderloin with a tombe of field mushrooms and a nougat glace", but they got to mingle with Mr Rudd, who appeared right at home within the swanky Guillaume restaurant at the Sydney Opera House.
According to annual rich lists, the collective value of the silvertails in the room was
estimated at $10 billion.
A conspicuous billionaire missing was Westfield chief Frank Lowy but he was waiting to meet Mr Rudd at North Sydney Oval in his position as head of Football Federation Australia.
At lunch, Mr Rudd was wedged between the likes of the billionaire matriarch Ros Packer, Multiplex heir Andrew Roberts, Caledonia Investments' Ian Darling, corporate identity Charles Curran, media mogul Paul Ramsay, Macquarie Bank's David Clarke, property magnate Denis O'Neil, stockbroker Peter Burrows, airport chief Max Moore-Wilton, cosmetics king and queen Michel-Henri and Julie Carriol, former Macquarie chief executive Tony Berg, Australian Stock Exchange director Russell Aboud and Lady Susan Atwill.
Evidently it was the first time Mr Rudd had met many of the Sydney "A"-listers, with Mrs Packer one of the first to make her way through the crowd to shake hands with the PM.
Ironically, Mr Rudd's $50 million gesture generated a round of applause but for many of his dining companions $50 million would barely register a blip on their financial radars. During lunch, the 100 guests coughed up $750,000 in donations, with one anonymous donor shelling out $500,000.
The money was music to the ears of Chris O'Brien, a director of the Sydney Cancer Centre Foundation and himself a cancer patient. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour 18 months ago and given six months to live.
Professor O'Brien, who found fame as a regular on the RPA television program, has undergone radiotherapy, chemotherapy and several operations since the diagnosis. He is in remission and recent test results have been clear.
"Our goal for the Sydney Cancer Centre is to give every patient the best chance of survival," he said.
After lunch, Mr Rudd met Mr Lowy and the Socceroos and Matildas mens' and women's soccer teams.
The former Liverpool star Harry Kewell, just off the plane from England, presented the Prime Minister with his own Socceroos shirt with the No.18 on the back. It wasn't "Kevin 07", but 18 signifed 2018, the year Australia hopes to host football's World Cup.
"No more injuries please, Harry, no injuries," Mr Rudd said to the multi-millionaire footballer.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Cancer Awareness
Politics
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
The Prime Minister was the keynote speaker at the annual Sydney Cancer Centre Foundation luncheon, where he announced the Federal Government was donating $50 million to the centre, which encompasses Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Concord Hospital and the University of Sydney.
And there was no clearer evidence of how cancer transcends the socio-economic divide than the gathering of silvertails and society types who turned up to meet the PM.
Guests had each shelled out $1000. Not only did they get to dine on "gently sealed scallops on cauliflower puree, beef tenderloin with a tombe of field mushrooms and a nougat glace", but they got to mingle with Mr Rudd, who appeared right at home within the swanky Guillaume restaurant at the Sydney Opera House.
According to annual rich lists, the collective value of the silvertails in the room was
estimated at $10 billion.
A conspicuous billionaire missing was Westfield chief Frank Lowy but he was waiting to meet Mr Rudd at North Sydney Oval in his position as head of Football Federation Australia.
At lunch, Mr Rudd was wedged between the likes of the billionaire matriarch Ros Packer, Multiplex heir Andrew Roberts, Caledonia Investments' Ian Darling, corporate identity Charles Curran, media mogul Paul Ramsay, Macquarie Bank's David Clarke, property magnate Denis O'Neil, stockbroker Peter Burrows, airport chief Max Moore-Wilton, cosmetics king and queen Michel-Henri and Julie Carriol, former Macquarie chief executive Tony Berg, Australian Stock Exchange director Russell Aboud and Lady Susan Atwill.
Evidently it was the first time Mr Rudd had met many of the Sydney "A"-listers, with Mrs Packer one of the first to make her way through the crowd to shake hands with the PM.
Ironically, Mr Rudd's $50 million gesture generated a round of applause but for many of his dining companions $50 million would barely register a blip on their financial radars. During lunch, the 100 guests coughed up $750,000 in donations, with one anonymous donor shelling out $500,000.
The money was music to the ears of Chris O'Brien, a director of the Sydney Cancer Centre Foundation and himself a cancer patient. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour 18 months ago and given six months to live.
Professor O'Brien, who found fame as a regular on the RPA television program, has undergone radiotherapy, chemotherapy and several operations since the diagnosis. He is in remission and recent test results have been clear.
"Our goal for the Sydney Cancer Centre is to give every patient the best chance of survival," he said.
After lunch, Mr Rudd met Mr Lowy and the Socceroos and Matildas mens' and women's soccer teams.
The former Liverpool star Harry Kewell, just off the plane from England, presented the Prime Minister with his own Socceroos shirt with the No.18 on the back. It wasn't "Kevin 07", but 18 signifed 2018, the year Australia hopes to host football's World Cup.
"No more injuries please, Harry, no injuries," Mr Rudd said to the multi-millionaire footballer.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Cancer Awareness
Politics
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Big names sing for Burma, by Jonathon Moran - The Sunday Telegraph - 18th May 2008
Some of Australia's best-known musicians will perform at iconic Sydney music venue, The Basement, tomorrow to raise money for the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Burma.
More than 120,000 died when the cyclone hit two weeks ago, leaving a further 2.5 million people destitute.
Drummer Dave Hibbard has organised the Burma Benefit Concert, which will include performances by Tim Freedman, Mahalia Barnes, Daniel Mifsud and Andy Bull.
"Dave Hibbard has travelled extensively throughout Burma and was really touched when he saw the recent footage over there,'' Freedman said.
"Dave put it together and he was so emotional on the phone that I could not refuse to come down to the Basement. I hope some people come along to raise some money for the aid organisations.''
Other well-known faces may also pop on stage at the Circular Quay venue, from 9pm.
Turn to page 107 for our exclusive Whitlams promotion with Tim Freedman.
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More than 120,000 died when the cyclone hit two weeks ago, leaving a further 2.5 million people destitute.
Drummer Dave Hibbard has organised the Burma Benefit Concert, which will include performances by Tim Freedman, Mahalia Barnes, Daniel Mifsud and Andy Bull.
"Dave Hibbard has travelled extensively throughout Burma and was really touched when he saw the recent footage over there,'' Freedman said.
"Dave put it together and he was so emotional on the phone that I could not refuse to come down to the Basement. I hope some people come along to raise some money for the aid organisations.''
Other well-known faces may also pop on stage at the Circular Quay venue, from 9pm.
Turn to page 107 for our exclusive Whitlams promotion with Tim Freedman.
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How a con man hit Jeff for $500,000, by Heath Gilmore - The Sun-Herald - 18th May 2008
Comeback boxer Jeff Fenech says he has forgiven the man who hit him with a near knockout financial blow.
Fenech, training to take on arch rival Azumah Nelson in Melbourne next month, spoke out about the Cronulla property developer Robert Bassili, who pleaded guilty to three charges of dishonesty and deceit in Sydney District Court last week.
Bassili, the former director of Radisson Maine Property Group and former chief executive of RAN Holdings International, sponsored the Wests Tigers rugby league team to spruik a wild property scam through Sydney's sporting and social networks.
Investigators estimated 30 investors lost about $3.7 million on the scam.
Fenech was reported to have lost $500,000 in official findings of the administrator appointed to the collapsed property group.
Rugby league players Ben Galea, Joel Caine and John Skandalis also lost tens of thousands of dollars in the scam, which marketed house-and-land packages in regional Victoria.
So did Olympic swimmer Jim Piper.
Yesterday the man fight fans know as the Marrickville Mauler said that his losses had been much greater. Fenech, 44, said his finances were now sound but he had been hurt.
"I have heard from jail contacts that he [Bassili] is remorseful and wants to pay the money back. As far as I am concerned, he could only do that by robbing someone else," he said. "He took from me much more than the $500,000 reported ... I forgive him, but he has hurt a lot of people."
Bassili, who once claimed to be the head of a global empire of aviation, shipping and property interests, is now a forlorn figure in jail. He once drove a fleet of Ferraris, leased a private plane and had a mock Tudor mansion in Cronulla. Bassili sponsored horse races, fights staged by Fenech and the Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation.
At the annual Pink Ribbon Ball in 2003, he donated $50 for every try the Tigers made in the 2003 season - $22,500. But Radisson Maine was built on hot air. Bassili fled to Ukraine after the group collapsed in 2004.
The Ferrari was repossessed, the Cronulla mansion taken over, and all that was left were two Sydney properties - worth perhaps $400,000 once a mortgage was repaid - and a "20- to 30-foot-long original oil painting" depicting Wests Tigers rugby league players.
The failed businessman has been in custody since his arrest in London in May last year. He will be sentenced on July 17.
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Fenech, training to take on arch rival Azumah Nelson in Melbourne next month, spoke out about the Cronulla property developer Robert Bassili, who pleaded guilty to three charges of dishonesty and deceit in Sydney District Court last week.
Bassili, the former director of Radisson Maine Property Group and former chief executive of RAN Holdings International, sponsored the Wests Tigers rugby league team to spruik a wild property scam through Sydney's sporting and social networks.
Investigators estimated 30 investors lost about $3.7 million on the scam.
Fenech was reported to have lost $500,000 in official findings of the administrator appointed to the collapsed property group.
Rugby league players Ben Galea, Joel Caine and John Skandalis also lost tens of thousands of dollars in the scam, which marketed house-and-land packages in regional Victoria.
So did Olympic swimmer Jim Piper.
Yesterday the man fight fans know as the Marrickville Mauler said that his losses had been much greater. Fenech, 44, said his finances were now sound but he had been hurt.
"I have heard from jail contacts that he [Bassili] is remorseful and wants to pay the money back. As far as I am concerned, he could only do that by robbing someone else," he said. "He took from me much more than the $500,000 reported ... I forgive him, but he has hurt a lot of people."
Bassili, who once claimed to be the head of a global empire of aviation, shipping and property interests, is now a forlorn figure in jail. He once drove a fleet of Ferraris, leased a private plane and had a mock Tudor mansion in Cronulla. Bassili sponsored horse races, fights staged by Fenech and the Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation.
At the annual Pink Ribbon Ball in 2003, he donated $50 for every try the Tigers made in the 2003 season - $22,500. But Radisson Maine was built on hot air. Bassili fled to Ukraine after the group collapsed in 2004.
The Ferrari was repossessed, the Cronulla mansion taken over, and all that was left were two Sydney properties - worth perhaps $400,000 once a mortgage was repaid - and a "20- to 30-foot-long original oil painting" depicting Wests Tigers rugby league players.
The failed businessman has been in custody since his arrest in London in May last year. He will be sentenced on July 17.
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Friday, May 16, 2008
Community radio hails $2.4m boost, by Sally Jackson - The Australian - 15th May 2008
The domestic music industry has been given a fillip in the federal budget with the allocation of another $2.4 million to community radio initiative the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project.
The funding, one of the few new announcements concerning the media in Tuesday's budget, honoured an election commitment to give the initiative a second cash infusion.
Musicians and record labels use AMRAP's mailout service to send CDs to community stations.
According to its website, since 2001 the service has distributed more than 80,000 CDs to the community sector, providing exposure and airplay for thousands of local artists.
"AMRAP has been one of the most successful projects we have run in the community broadcasting sector," said Deborah Welch, president of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia. "We're really looking forward to developing that project ... particularly our ability to provide access to Australian artists who don't get much of a run on mainstream radio."
The money, to be paid in equal instalments over four years from next financial year, would be used to upgrade AMRAP's delivery system, said CBAA network services manager Peter Tozer.
Consulting firm Portable Content had been appointed to examine electronic distribution models. "We have kept the project alive although the initial funding support for it has long since run out," Mr Tozer said.
"We're very happy and comforted to have this refunding of the project locked in through the budget."
AMRAP was an important tool for local musicians to connect with national audiences, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said.
"Through this initiative, contemporary Australian music will be broadcast by the community broadcasting sector to more than four million listeners who listen each week," he said.
"AMRAP has also been extremely successful promoting music from rural, regional and remote communities, particularly indigenous music. It enables a diverse range of music to be distributed across the country."
The budget also included previously announced commitments of $125.8 million to create a safer online environment for children and more money for the Australian Broadband Guarantee program, bringing its total funding up to $270.7 million over four years, and confirmed funding to underwrite the transition of the community radio sector from analog to digital broadcasting in the new year.
However, Opposition communications spokesman Bruce Billson criticised the Government for providing no funding to help community television make the switch. The budget should have included "a support package for community television stations, including a clear plan for their conversion from analog to digital and increased funding support to ensure their survival in the interim", he said.
Community TV representatives have said they fear the sector will suffer a potentially catastrophic loss of audience if it remains marooned on the analog signal while viewers migrate todigital.
Mr Billson also called for $82million for the ABC to establish a children's digital channel and money to address digital TV black spots, including infrastructure upgrades to ensure communities were not disadvantaged by the switch to digital.
Broadcasting sector sources also noted the absence of any mention of the proposed auction of licences for new digital narrowcast channel A and mobile channel B.
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The funding, one of the few new announcements concerning the media in Tuesday's budget, honoured an election commitment to give the initiative a second cash infusion.
Musicians and record labels use AMRAP's mailout service to send CDs to community stations.
According to its website, since 2001 the service has distributed more than 80,000 CDs to the community sector, providing exposure and airplay for thousands of local artists.
"AMRAP has been one of the most successful projects we have run in the community broadcasting sector," said Deborah Welch, president of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia. "We're really looking forward to developing that project ... particularly our ability to provide access to Australian artists who don't get much of a run on mainstream radio."
The money, to be paid in equal instalments over four years from next financial year, would be used to upgrade AMRAP's delivery system, said CBAA network services manager Peter Tozer.
Consulting firm Portable Content had been appointed to examine electronic distribution models. "We have kept the project alive although the initial funding support for it has long since run out," Mr Tozer said.
"We're very happy and comforted to have this refunding of the project locked in through the budget."
AMRAP was an important tool for local musicians to connect with national audiences, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said.
"Through this initiative, contemporary Australian music will be broadcast by the community broadcasting sector to more than four million listeners who listen each week," he said.
"AMRAP has also been extremely successful promoting music from rural, regional and remote communities, particularly indigenous music. It enables a diverse range of music to be distributed across the country."
The budget also included previously announced commitments of $125.8 million to create a safer online environment for children and more money for the Australian Broadband Guarantee program, bringing its total funding up to $270.7 million over four years, and confirmed funding to underwrite the transition of the community radio sector from analog to digital broadcasting in the new year.
However, Opposition communications spokesman Bruce Billson criticised the Government for providing no funding to help community television make the switch. The budget should have included "a support package for community television stations, including a clear plan for their conversion from analog to digital and increased funding support to ensure their survival in the interim", he said.
Community TV representatives have said they fear the sector will suffer a potentially catastrophic loss of audience if it remains marooned on the analog signal while viewers migrate todigital.
Mr Billson also called for $82million for the ABC to establish a children's digital channel and money to address digital TV black spots, including infrastructure upgrades to ensure communities were not disadvantaged by the switch to digital.
Broadcasting sector sources also noted the absence of any mention of the proposed auction of licences for new digital narrowcast channel A and mobile channel B.
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Thursday, May 15, 2008
Burma insists: We can handle it, From correspondents in Rangoon - News.com.au - 15th May 2008
Burma today insisted it could handle the massive cyclone relief operation, despite warnings that many more people could die unless aid workers gain access to the two million people in need.
"Myanmar people accept any kinds of foreign aid with appreciation, regardless of the amount," said an editorial in the government mouthpiece newspaper, the New Light of Myanmar.
"However, they will not rely too much on international assistance, and will reconstruct the nation on self-reliance basis," the English-language daily said.
Since Cyclone Nargis struck the southwest delta region on May 2 and 3, leaving up to 66,000 dead or missing, reclusive military rulers in Burma have accepted foreign aid but largely rejected foreign relief workers.
International aid agencies say they are battling to provide vital food, shelter and water through the country's dilapidated infrastructure, but the junta has refused to budge on access, despite mounting international pressure.
"Relief operations were carried out effectively with the aim of helping the survivors to continue to survive the aftershocks," the editorial said.
"It is believed that the nation will be able to overcome all forms of challenges related to natural disasters," it said.
European Union aid commissioner Louis Michel yesterday warned "more people will die" unless relief workers have full access to the worst-hit areas.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has warned of a second wave of deaths from disease and starvation unless vital aid quickly reaches those in need.
Burma's military, which has ruled the country since 1962, has a history of rebuffing outside help, and international aid groups which work within the country are subject to restrictions on their movements.
Mr Michel headed into Burma yesterday to try to push the junta to allow aid workers in, but a similar mission by Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej ended yesterday with the generals telling him they can manage the situation alone.
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"Myanmar people accept any kinds of foreign aid with appreciation, regardless of the amount," said an editorial in the government mouthpiece newspaper, the New Light of Myanmar.
"However, they will not rely too much on international assistance, and will reconstruct the nation on self-reliance basis," the English-language daily said.
Since Cyclone Nargis struck the southwest delta region on May 2 and 3, leaving up to 66,000 dead or missing, reclusive military rulers in Burma have accepted foreign aid but largely rejected foreign relief workers.
International aid agencies say they are battling to provide vital food, shelter and water through the country's dilapidated infrastructure, but the junta has refused to budge on access, despite mounting international pressure.
"Relief operations were carried out effectively with the aim of helping the survivors to continue to survive the aftershocks," the editorial said.
"It is believed that the nation will be able to overcome all forms of challenges related to natural disasters," it said.
European Union aid commissioner Louis Michel yesterday warned "more people will die" unless relief workers have full access to the worst-hit areas.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has warned of a second wave of deaths from disease and starvation unless vital aid quickly reaches those in need.
Burma's military, which has ruled the country since 1962, has a history of rebuffing outside help, and international aid groups which work within the country are subject to restrictions on their movements.
Mr Michel headed into Burma yesterday to try to push the junta to allow aid workers in, but a similar mission by Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej ended yesterday with the generals telling him they can manage the situation alone.
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Our super mum takes national title - The Advertiser - 9th May 2008
HEATHER Round's generosity towards families who have endured similar hardships to hers has earned the mother of six a top award.
The 35-year-old from Goolwa has been named Barnardos Australia's Mother of the Year.
Heather and her husband Tim's children are aged from two to eight. The happy couple were dealt a devastating blow in 2002 when they lost one of their twin sons, Max, aged just 13 days to Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome – a condition where the left side of the heart does not form properly.
Their situation worsened from stress and financial pressure but they rose above the calamity, seeking other families touched by HLHS and congenital heart diseases. They took out mortgages on their home and set up an accommodation and support network opposite Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital.
Heather often catches the bus from Adelaide to Melbourne to clean and stock the units and catches up with the families.
She also spends countless hours supporting parents of children with congenital heart defects and involves her family in fundraising and awareness days.
All of her children occupy a very special place in her life.
"They are all so different yet all so beautiful in their own ways and I also have one very special little angel who will always be in my heart," Heather said.
Her mum Judith Parkinson, who nominated Heather for the award, said her daughter means so much to her kids and those of other parents.
"Heather is not only an exceptional mum to her six surviving children but a wonderful, practical `godmother' to many other children and their families." Heather received the award last night at a ceremony hosted by the children's charity and welfare agency Barnardos Australia in Sydney.
The other state and territory finalists included Sandie O'Connor from the ACT, Jennifer Ney - NSW, Kacey Leach - QLD, Meagan Macdonald, VIC, Judy-Ann Vienna-Hallam - TAS, Sandra Vinciguerra - WA and Joan Halvorson from the Northern Territory.
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The 35-year-old from Goolwa has been named Barnardos Australia's Mother of the Year.
Heather and her husband Tim's children are aged from two to eight. The happy couple were dealt a devastating blow in 2002 when they lost one of their twin sons, Max, aged just 13 days to Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome – a condition where the left side of the heart does not form properly.
Their situation worsened from stress and financial pressure but they rose above the calamity, seeking other families touched by HLHS and congenital heart diseases. They took out mortgages on their home and set up an accommodation and support network opposite Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital.
Heather often catches the bus from Adelaide to Melbourne to clean and stock the units and catches up with the families.
She also spends countless hours supporting parents of children with congenital heart defects and involves her family in fundraising and awareness days.
All of her children occupy a very special place in her life.
"They are all so different yet all so beautiful in their own ways and I also have one very special little angel who will always be in my heart," Heather said.
Her mum Judith Parkinson, who nominated Heather for the award, said her daughter means so much to her kids and those of other parents.
"Heather is not only an exceptional mum to her six surviving children but a wonderful, practical `godmother' to many other children and their families." Heather received the award last night at a ceremony hosted by the children's charity and welfare agency Barnardos Australia in Sydney.
The other state and territory finalists included Sandie O'Connor from the ACT, Jennifer Ney - NSW, Kacey Leach - QLD, Meagan Macdonald, VIC, Judy-Ann Vienna-Hallam - TAS, Sandra Vinciguerra - WA and Joan Halvorson from the Northern Territory.
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PIONEERING YOUTH PROGRAM “SHOWS RESOURCES COMPANIES HOW TO BECOME BETTER NEIGHBOURS" - Press Release - 15th May 2008
COMPANIES HOW TO BECOME BETTER NEIGHBOURS”
A groundbreaking youth program in the remote communities of western South Australia is promising to become a model for resources companies wanting to genuinely “connect” with their Indigenous neighbours.
That is the outcome already from the program in just its first few months of early work.
An initiative of Adelaide-based Top Four energy company, Beach Petroleum Limited (ASX “BPT”) and Save the Children, the three-year program was launched late last year with a $600,000 grant from Beach – representing one of the State’s largest single corporate expressions of assistance for resources-linked remote communities.
The program aims to provide practical “life skills” for young people in Ceduna, Koonibba, Yalata and Oak Valley.
Organisers announced today that in just four months since the launch, program staff had already held an intensive series of meetings with elders and community groups in the four communities.
These talks had successfully provided sufficient feedback to lay the groundwork for the development of a strategic “Plan of Action” to guide mentoring and educational activities for the first program in Yalata.
“Under the protocols of the sponsorship, we have been given sufficient time to go out and meet with different groups to gain a real presence in the four communities and – more importantly – to gain their trust and respect,” Save the Children’s Programs Manager, Ms Joan O’Connor, said today.
“We have hired a full-time Program Coordinator - based in Ceduna – and this full-time, on the ground presence is making a measurable and positive difference in the willingness of individuals and communities to participate,” Ms O’Connor said.
The newly appointed Program Coordinator, Mr David Peedom, has long experience in negotiating and consulting with indigenous communities in Australia and overseas, bringing a level of confidence in the initial stages of work.
“Before now, I’ve been going out to Ceduna six or seven times a year to talk with local families and be advised of their needs. But having someone permanently there and accessible to the communities has been a major plus for us,” Ms O’Connor said.
Save the Children has been involved in the Ceduna area for more than 20 years, through various youth health and nutrition programs, and a soon-to-be-launched parenting program.
But Ms O’Connor says the youth program may open the door to a whole new level of support – both in the communities of western South Australia, and further afield.
“This is, to my knowledge, the first time that a South Australian resources company has become involved in this kind of program at such a grassroots level,” she said.
“It has really stirred the corporate community to do more on issues of social responsibility.”
Next month, Mr Peedom and a small team will work with community representatives to develop a long-term Plan of Action for youth development in Yalata, which will also provide a model for the other three communities.
“Although this is initially a three-year program, we are laying the foundations for a concerted program of support over 5-10 years and beyond,” Ms O’Connor said.
Save the Children has already identified 10 young people with the potential to become mentors to specific groups within the community.
These people will be the first beneficiaries of a new TAFE certificate designed to improve community-appropriate mentoring skills, leading eventually to other qualifications addressing specific education needs and practical skills for job-seeking and employment.
The program also proposes a number of innovative uses of sport, music and recreational activities as gateways for the mentoring process.
As a result, Save the Children’s efforts are attracting support from several State Government Departments, Families SA, the Indigenous Coordination Centre and the Far West Women’s Group.
“We are focused on the individual communities becoming an integral part of the decision-making process – as opposed to historically, just being told what to do,” Ms O’Connor said.
The South Australian program is attracting wider audience, with Save the Children already being approached by a number of mining companies wishing to support indigenous communities in Western Australia, where the organisation conducts similar programs in the Kimberleys.
“This program is a new venture in SA, but we are winning strong support from the State Government and are very confident that it will generate more attention and support from a range of SA companies in the future,” said Ms Michele Leonard, Save the Children’s Australia Program General Manager.
“Beach Petroleum’s commitment and ongoing backing is a bold step but demonstrates how a resources company can work together with local remote area communities to make a difference in the lives of people who don’t normally benefit from this kind of initiative. Such corporate vision is inspirational,” added Ms Leonard.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Reg Nelson Kevin Skinner
Managing Director, Beach Petroleum Field Public Relations
(08) 8338 2833 (08) 8234 9555 / 0414 822 631
Eva Varga
Executive Director
Save the Children Australia (SA)
(08) 8338 1777
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A groundbreaking youth program in the remote communities of western South Australia is promising to become a model for resources companies wanting to genuinely “connect” with their Indigenous neighbours.
That is the outcome already from the program in just its first few months of early work.
An initiative of Adelaide-based Top Four energy company, Beach Petroleum Limited (ASX “BPT”) and Save the Children, the three-year program was launched late last year with a $600,000 grant from Beach – representing one of the State’s largest single corporate expressions of assistance for resources-linked remote communities.
The program aims to provide practical “life skills” for young people in Ceduna, Koonibba, Yalata and Oak Valley.
Organisers announced today that in just four months since the launch, program staff had already held an intensive series of meetings with elders and community groups in the four communities.
These talks had successfully provided sufficient feedback to lay the groundwork for the development of a strategic “Plan of Action” to guide mentoring and educational activities for the first program in Yalata.
“Under the protocols of the sponsorship, we have been given sufficient time to go out and meet with different groups to gain a real presence in the four communities and – more importantly – to gain their trust and respect,” Save the Children’s Programs Manager, Ms Joan O’Connor, said today.
“We have hired a full-time Program Coordinator - based in Ceduna – and this full-time, on the ground presence is making a measurable and positive difference in the willingness of individuals and communities to participate,” Ms O’Connor said.
The newly appointed Program Coordinator, Mr David Peedom, has long experience in negotiating and consulting with indigenous communities in Australia and overseas, bringing a level of confidence in the initial stages of work.
“Before now, I’ve been going out to Ceduna six or seven times a year to talk with local families and be advised of their needs. But having someone permanently there and accessible to the communities has been a major plus for us,” Ms O’Connor said.
Save the Children has been involved in the Ceduna area for more than 20 years, through various youth health and nutrition programs, and a soon-to-be-launched parenting program.
But Ms O’Connor says the youth program may open the door to a whole new level of support – both in the communities of western South Australia, and further afield.
“This is, to my knowledge, the first time that a South Australian resources company has become involved in this kind of program at such a grassroots level,” she said.
“It has really stirred the corporate community to do more on issues of social responsibility.”
Next month, Mr Peedom and a small team will work with community representatives to develop a long-term Plan of Action for youth development in Yalata, which will also provide a model for the other three communities.
“Although this is initially a three-year program, we are laying the foundations for a concerted program of support over 5-10 years and beyond,” Ms O’Connor said.
Save the Children has already identified 10 young people with the potential to become mentors to specific groups within the community.
These people will be the first beneficiaries of a new TAFE certificate designed to improve community-appropriate mentoring skills, leading eventually to other qualifications addressing specific education needs and practical skills for job-seeking and employment.
The program also proposes a number of innovative uses of sport, music and recreational activities as gateways for the mentoring process.
As a result, Save the Children’s efforts are attracting support from several State Government Departments, Families SA, the Indigenous Coordination Centre and the Far West Women’s Group.
“We are focused on the individual communities becoming an integral part of the decision-making process – as opposed to historically, just being told what to do,” Ms O’Connor said.
The South Australian program is attracting wider audience, with Save the Children already being approached by a number of mining companies wishing to support indigenous communities in Western Australia, where the organisation conducts similar programs in the Kimberleys.
“This program is a new venture in SA, but we are winning strong support from the State Government and are very confident that it will generate more attention and support from a range of SA companies in the future,” said Ms Michele Leonard, Save the Children’s Australia Program General Manager.
“Beach Petroleum’s commitment and ongoing backing is a bold step but demonstrates how a resources company can work together with local remote area communities to make a difference in the lives of people who don’t normally benefit from this kind of initiative. Such corporate vision is inspirational,” added Ms Leonard.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Reg Nelson Kevin Skinner
Managing Director, Beach Petroleum Field Public Relations
(08) 8338 2833 (08) 8234 9555 / 0414 822 631
Eva Varga
Executive Director
Save the Children Australia (SA)
(08) 8338 1777
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Aid Groups Pleased With Response to Myanmar and China Crises, by Caroline Preston - The Chronicle of Philanthropy - 14th May 2008
Donations to help victims of the Myanmar cyclone continued to mount on Wednesday, even as charities faced enormous hurdles in bringing aid to the country. More than $8-million has been pledged so far to some of the biggest aid organizations in the United States.
At the same time, groups have begun providing aid to victims of this week’s earthquake in China.
A major obstacle in Myanmar, charity fund raisers said, has been the government’s refusal to allow large-scale foreign assistance, which has left many donors hesitant to give.
“There are donors who are interested in supporting relief efforts but are concerned about how difficult it is to work in Myanmar,” said Carolyn O’Brien, senior vice president of development with AmeriCares, which was awaiting clearance for a plane now in Amsterdam. “Some donors are holding back.”
Some aid officials expressed concern that China’s earthquake could divert donor attention away from Myanmar. Ed Bligh, vice president of communications with the International Rescue Committee, said the dearth of photographs from the Myanmar disaster had hurt fund raising for the crisis.
“With the earthquake in China, there have been really compelling photographs that moved donors,” he said. “There have been some photographs from Myanmar, but had there been unfettered access for the news media, for video and camera crews, I think that would have had an impact on donations.”
But Ms. O’Brien, of AmeriCares, said that fund raising for the two disasters might be complementary.
“From my point of view, having multiple disasters just raises general awareness of how important it is to help victims,” she said. Her charity raised $10,000 online for the earthquake, mostly from new donors, in a 12-hour period.
Donation Tallies
Among the groups raising money for cyclone victims:
* Save the Children has won more than $3-million in pledges and gifts, including $1-million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which also gave $1-million each to CARE and World Vision. Not on Our Watch, a charity established by actors George Clooney and Don Cheadle, among others, to end mass atrocities around the world, has pledged up to $500,000.
* World Vision has received more than $2.75-million, including the grant from the Gates foundation.
* Donors have contributed or pledged $1.375-million to the International Rescue Committee.
* Mercy Corps has received nearly $1-million, including $150,000 from Chevron.
* Donations to AmeriCares total $300,000.
* The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee has raised nearly $115,000. Most donors have contributed gifts between $500 and $1,000 to the relief response.
Still Waiting
Frustration among charity officials continued to grow this week, as many staff members sat in Bangkok awaiting visas to enter the cyclone-devastated country. On Wednesday, The New York Times was reporting that some aid supplies had been stolen by the government.
There were a few hopeful signs, however. The United Nations announced on Tuesday that an additional 34 visas had been granted to its staff members, even as U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed “immense frustration” over the slow pace of relief efforts.
Charity officials were grappling with how to respond to the crisis. Some groups with employees in Myanmar were purchasing mosquito nets and other materials within the country. The United Nations was helping to airlift charities’ relief materials from places such as Dubai.
Charities were also identifying local partners to help them supply aid. Groups were working with monks, the Red Crescent Society, and other local groups.
But aid officials said the response is still falling woefully short of meeting the needs of victims. They warned that the country faces a second wave of deaths unless more can be done.
“It remains challenging,” said Melissa Winkler, a spokeswoman with the International Rescue Committee. “Even though we’re certainly seeing more supplies coming in, it doesn’t come close to what’s needed.”
Myanmar Employees
Meanwhile, charities with employees on the ground in Myanmar were emphasizing to donors that they’ve had some success in reaching victims.
“We’ve been very clear from the beginning with our donors that World Vision is an organization that’s been on the ground working from day one and that we will be distributing our own supplies,” said Rachel Wolff, communications director for disaster response with World Vision.
Her charity, which had 600 employees in Myanmar before the storm, has reached an estimated 100,000 victims.
Ms. Wolff said that she was encouraged that the news media were still focusing attention on Myanmar 12 days after the cyclone struck.
“The media continues to cover the crisis in Myanmar even as China has gotten a lot of coverage,” she said. “Both of these crises are highly visible to the American public, and that will assist in our fund raising.”
Despite the many obstacles to providing aid, charities said that donations were still continuing to come in at a reasonable pace.
“We haven’t seen a real slowdown beyond the usual ‘week two’ effect,” said Joy Portella, a spokeswoman with Mercy Corps, in an e-mail.
Echoed Mr. Bligh, of the International Rescue Committee: “We haven’t seen a slowdown yet.”
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At the same time, groups have begun providing aid to victims of this week’s earthquake in China.
A major obstacle in Myanmar, charity fund raisers said, has been the government’s refusal to allow large-scale foreign assistance, which has left many donors hesitant to give.
“There are donors who are interested in supporting relief efforts but are concerned about how difficult it is to work in Myanmar,” said Carolyn O’Brien, senior vice president of development with AmeriCares, which was awaiting clearance for a plane now in Amsterdam. “Some donors are holding back.”
Some aid officials expressed concern that China’s earthquake could divert donor attention away from Myanmar. Ed Bligh, vice president of communications with the International Rescue Committee, said the dearth of photographs from the Myanmar disaster had hurt fund raising for the crisis.
“With the earthquake in China, there have been really compelling photographs that moved donors,” he said. “There have been some photographs from Myanmar, but had there been unfettered access for the news media, for video and camera crews, I think that would have had an impact on donations.”
But Ms. O’Brien, of AmeriCares, said that fund raising for the two disasters might be complementary.
“From my point of view, having multiple disasters just raises general awareness of how important it is to help victims,” she said. Her charity raised $10,000 online for the earthquake, mostly from new donors, in a 12-hour period.
Donation Tallies
Among the groups raising money for cyclone victims:
* Save the Children has won more than $3-million in pledges and gifts, including $1-million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which also gave $1-million each to CARE and World Vision. Not on Our Watch, a charity established by actors George Clooney and Don Cheadle, among others, to end mass atrocities around the world, has pledged up to $500,000.
* World Vision has received more than $2.75-million, including the grant from the Gates foundation.
* Donors have contributed or pledged $1.375-million to the International Rescue Committee.
* Mercy Corps has received nearly $1-million, including $150,000 from Chevron.
* Donations to AmeriCares total $300,000.
* The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee has raised nearly $115,000. Most donors have contributed gifts between $500 and $1,000 to the relief response.
Still Waiting
Frustration among charity officials continued to grow this week, as many staff members sat in Bangkok awaiting visas to enter the cyclone-devastated country. On Wednesday, The New York Times was reporting that some aid supplies had been stolen by the government.
There were a few hopeful signs, however. The United Nations announced on Tuesday that an additional 34 visas had been granted to its staff members, even as U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed “immense frustration” over the slow pace of relief efforts.
Charity officials were grappling with how to respond to the crisis. Some groups with employees in Myanmar were purchasing mosquito nets and other materials within the country. The United Nations was helping to airlift charities’ relief materials from places such as Dubai.
Charities were also identifying local partners to help them supply aid. Groups were working with monks, the Red Crescent Society, and other local groups.
But aid officials said the response is still falling woefully short of meeting the needs of victims. They warned that the country faces a second wave of deaths unless more can be done.
“It remains challenging,” said Melissa Winkler, a spokeswoman with the International Rescue Committee. “Even though we’re certainly seeing more supplies coming in, it doesn’t come close to what’s needed.”
Myanmar Employees
Meanwhile, charities with employees on the ground in Myanmar were emphasizing to donors that they’ve had some success in reaching victims.
“We’ve been very clear from the beginning with our donors that World Vision is an organization that’s been on the ground working from day one and that we will be distributing our own supplies,” said Rachel Wolff, communications director for disaster response with World Vision.
Her charity, which had 600 employees in Myanmar before the storm, has reached an estimated 100,000 victims.
Ms. Wolff said that she was encouraged that the news media were still focusing attention on Myanmar 12 days after the cyclone struck.
“The media continues to cover the crisis in Myanmar even as China has gotten a lot of coverage,” she said. “Both of these crises are highly visible to the American public, and that will assist in our fund raising.”
Despite the many obstacles to providing aid, charities said that donations were still continuing to come in at a reasonable pace.
“We haven’t seen a real slowdown beyond the usual ‘week two’ effect,” said Joy Portella, a spokeswoman with Mercy Corps, in an e-mail.
Echoed Mr. Bligh, of the International Rescue Committee: “We haven’t seen a slowdown yet.”
Media Man Australia Profiles
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Millionaires' Mission - ABC TV - tonight
Multi-millionaire building boss Steve Morgan is working virtually single-handed on a project to provide local schoolchildren with clean drinking water. But just as the water tanks are delivered, he drops the bombshell that he is heading home early.
Despite objections from the group, Steve is determined to head home. However, when torrential rainstorms threaten the project, he rolls up his sleeves to try and get the job done.
But after he has gone, sparks fly in camp when the rest of the entrepreneurs discover just how much unfinished work there is. When calm eventually descends on the camp, there's cause for celebration as Seb Bishop helps the local farmers strike a very profitable deal for their potatoes. Meanwhile, the youngest of the entrepreneurs, 22-year-old Dom McVey, goes on a research trip for the hotel project - and finds himself face to face with a mountain gorilla.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Millionaires Mission
World Vision
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Despite objections from the group, Steve is determined to head home. However, when torrential rainstorms threaten the project, he rolls up his sleeves to try and get the job done.
But after he has gone, sparks fly in camp when the rest of the entrepreneurs discover just how much unfinished work there is. When calm eventually descends on the camp, there's cause for celebration as Seb Bishop helps the local farmers strike a very profitable deal for their potatoes. Meanwhile, the youngest of the entrepreneurs, 22-year-old Dom McVey, goes on a research trip for the hotel project - and finds himself face to face with a mountain gorilla.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Millionaires Mission
World Vision
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Monday, May 12, 2008
How to help - The Sydney Morning Herald - 9th May 2008
World Vision 133 240 worldvision.com.au
Caritas 1800 024 413 caritas.org.au
CARE Australia 1800 020 046 careaustralia.org.au
Save The Children 1800 760 011 savethechildren.org.au
Our Community ourcommunity.com.au
Austcare 1300 66 66 72 austcare.org.au
UNICEF 1300 884 233 unicef.org.au
Red Cross 1800 811 700 redcross.org.au
Medecins sans Frontieres 1300 13 60 61 msf.org.au
Baptist World Aid Australia 1300 789 991 shareanopportunity.org
Media Man Australia Profiles
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Caritas 1800 024 413 caritas.org.au
CARE Australia 1800 020 046 careaustralia.org.au
Save The Children 1800 760 011 savethechildren.org.au
Our Community ourcommunity.com.au
Austcare 1300 66 66 72 austcare.org.au
UNICEF 1300 884 233 unicef.org.au
Red Cross 1800 811 700 redcross.org.au
Medecins sans Frontieres 1300 13 60 61 msf.org.au
Baptist World Aid Australia 1300 789 991 shareanopportunity.org
Media Man Australia Profiles
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Friday, May 09, 2008
Aid blocked as a million suffer, By staff writers and wires - News.com.au - 9th May 2008
* Harrowing tales of survival
* Rotting bodies, no fresh water
* In pictures: the devastation in Burma
More than one million homeless in Burma were battling to stave off disease and hunger today, as the US hinted it might consider making helicopter food drops without the permission of the country's leaders.
With death toll estimates near 100,000 and the clock ticking for those who survived, Burma's junta - long suspicious of the outside world - is under new pressure to fully open up to help from abroad.
The US said today it would look at beginning helicopter food drops with Burma's permission to get aid to people still desperately in need six days after the cyclone hit. Four US Navy ships are on their way to Burma as the Bush administration steps up pressure on the junta to open its doors to help.
But the director of the USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance Ky Luu has also hinted at making unauthorised food drops after a planned aid flight was cancelled by the Burmese authorities.
Responding to remarks by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner that the international community should force the Burma to accept outside help, he said:"Everything within the law is considered at this point."
The United Nations believes that at least 1.5 million people have been "severely affected" by Cyclone Nargis, and some estimates put the death toll at 100,000.
The official toll is 22,997 dead, 1430 injured and 42,119 missing, but a military official estimated 80,000 dead in one delta township alone.
Aid groups say hundreds of planeloads of supplies are needed to avert a second tragedy in which the survivors of the devastating cyclone die from hunger and disease. Many of these supplies are languishing nearby with no way - or no permission - to get in.
World Vision Australia chief Tim Costello, one of the few foreigners allowed in, said the "death toll is doubling every day".
He said he had been unable to arrange visas for his 25 staff, but hoped a World Vision plane carrying $3 million in aid would be allowed to land today.
Visa problems have also hampered UN efforts to help the victims of Cyclone Nargis. UN humanitarian affairs chief John Holmes said two members of an initial disaster assessment team had been allowed in, but two more were turned back at the airport.
All four were from ASEAN countries that have reciprocal visa agreements with Burma.
"That's not an acceptable situation," Mr Holmes said, adding that UN "laissez-passer" documents should be enough to ensure access, particularly in a crisis situation.
Yesterday, Mr Kouchner urged the international community to force the reclusive Burma authorities to accept outside help, under the UN's "responsibility to protect" civilians when governments are unable or unwilling to do so.
Despite the crisis, the junta plans to go ahead with Saturday's constitutional referendum - a process critics say is only intended to cement the army's grip on power.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Politics
Charity
World Vision
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
* Rotting bodies, no fresh water
* In pictures: the devastation in Burma
More than one million homeless in Burma were battling to stave off disease and hunger today, as the US hinted it might consider making helicopter food drops without the permission of the country's leaders.
With death toll estimates near 100,000 and the clock ticking for those who survived, Burma's junta - long suspicious of the outside world - is under new pressure to fully open up to help from abroad.
The US said today it would look at beginning helicopter food drops with Burma's permission to get aid to people still desperately in need six days after the cyclone hit. Four US Navy ships are on their way to Burma as the Bush administration steps up pressure on the junta to open its doors to help.
But the director of the USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance Ky Luu has also hinted at making unauthorised food drops after a planned aid flight was cancelled by the Burmese authorities.
Responding to remarks by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner that the international community should force the Burma to accept outside help, he said:"Everything within the law is considered at this point."
The United Nations believes that at least 1.5 million people have been "severely affected" by Cyclone Nargis, and some estimates put the death toll at 100,000.
The official toll is 22,997 dead, 1430 injured and 42,119 missing, but a military official estimated 80,000 dead in one delta township alone.
Aid groups say hundreds of planeloads of supplies are needed to avert a second tragedy in which the survivors of the devastating cyclone die from hunger and disease. Many of these supplies are languishing nearby with no way - or no permission - to get in.
World Vision Australia chief Tim Costello, one of the few foreigners allowed in, said the "death toll is doubling every day".
He said he had been unable to arrange visas for his 25 staff, but hoped a World Vision plane carrying $3 million in aid would be allowed to land today.
Visa problems have also hampered UN efforts to help the victims of Cyclone Nargis. UN humanitarian affairs chief John Holmes said two members of an initial disaster assessment team had been allowed in, but two more were turned back at the airport.
All four were from ASEAN countries that have reciprocal visa agreements with Burma.
"That's not an acceptable situation," Mr Holmes said, adding that UN "laissez-passer" documents should be enough to ensure access, particularly in a crisis situation.
Yesterday, Mr Kouchner urged the international community to force the reclusive Burma authorities to accept outside help, under the UN's "responsibility to protect" civilians when governments are unable or unwilling to do so.
Despite the crisis, the junta plans to go ahead with Saturday's constitutional referendum - a process critics say is only intended to cement the army's grip on power.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Politics
Charity
World Vision
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Homeless get a boost from industry - The Sydney Morning Herald - 1st May 2008
Mission Australia and a commercial real estate website have found a novel way to raise money for housing homeless people.
For every person who visits the website housesforthehomeless.com.au, the real estate website realestate.com.au will donate one dollar to the Mission Australia charity, up to a total of $100,000.
To publicise the national campaign - launched by federal Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek - the charity built a cardboard "city" of 250 houses in Sydney's Martin Place, to illustrate how homeless people have to sleep on the streets.
"Every night over 100,000 people sleep on the streets," realestate.com.au Asia Pacific general manager Shaun Di Gregorio said.
"We know everyone wants to make a positive difference for the homeless, but most people's budgets are tight these days.
"We've set up housesforthehomeless.com.au so people can donate $100,000 without it costing them a thing.
"We also hope they will use the information on housesforthehomeless.com.au to learn more about the homeless issue.
"Hopefully, they may even be inspired to go on to make an additional donation of their own money to Mission Australia," he said in a statement.
Toby Hall, chief executive of Mission Australia, said he believed the actual number of people sleeping on the streets was higher than the official count of 100,000.
The reasons for homelessness varied, Mr Hall said.
"For some people - particularly teenagers - it's because of family conflict. For others, it's mental illness or substance abuse.
"More and more these days we see people who become homeless for financial reasons - they can't make their rent or they're too deep in debt."
Media Man Australia Profiles
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
For every person who visits the website housesforthehomeless.com.au, the real estate website realestate.com.au will donate one dollar to the Mission Australia charity, up to a total of $100,000.
To publicise the national campaign - launched by federal Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek - the charity built a cardboard "city" of 250 houses in Sydney's Martin Place, to illustrate how homeless people have to sleep on the streets.
"Every night over 100,000 people sleep on the streets," realestate.com.au Asia Pacific general manager Shaun Di Gregorio said.
"We know everyone wants to make a positive difference for the homeless, but most people's budgets are tight these days.
"We've set up housesforthehomeless.com.au so people can donate $100,000 without it costing them a thing.
"We also hope they will use the information on housesforthehomeless.com.au to learn more about the homeless issue.
"Hopefully, they may even be inspired to go on to make an additional donation of their own money to Mission Australia," he said in a statement.
Toby Hall, chief executive of Mission Australia, said he believed the actual number of people sleeping on the streets was higher than the official count of 100,000.
The reasons for homelessness varied, Mr Hall said.
"For some people - particularly teenagers - it's because of family conflict. For others, it's mental illness or substance abuse.
"More and more these days we see people who become homeless for financial reasons - they can't make their rent or they're too deep in debt."
Media Man Australia Profiles
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Salvos may just not be enough, by Kelly Burke and Erik Jensen - The Sydney Morning Herald - 1st May 2008
An offer by the Salvation Army to support the running of the Just Enough Faith Foundation may not be enough to save the charity, with its embattled founder refusing to step down.
Jeff Gambin has come under increasing pressure by trustees and volunteers to resign since it emerged more than a week ago that hundreds of thousands of dollars in the foundation's bank account appeared to have been used by Mr Gambin for gambling and other personal expenses between June 2005 and July 2007.
It also emerged that the foundation set up by Mr Gambin in 1993 to feed the city's homeless had been operating without a licence to fund-raise for all but six months of the past 11 years.
Mr Gambin has refused to discuss the allegations with the Herald, and is under investigation by the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing, the body responsible for overseeing charities.
In discussions with accountants and lawyers this week, the charity's board of trustees, which appears to consist of just two people, is also refusing to comment, as is the general manager Ian MacGregor.
On Monday night, the director of the Salvation Army's Oasis Youth Support Network, Paul Moulds, contacted Mr MacGregor offering to handle the running of the foundation's Rozelle kitchens and the food vans.
"It would be a tragedy for Sydney to see that service fall over," Captain Moulds said.
He said he had received a positive reception, although up to last night had still not been able to contact Mr Gambin.
Captain Moulds said The Salvation Army - whose status as a religious organisation makes it exempt from the need to carry a fund-raising licence - was also prepared to steward donations for Just Enough Faith while Mr Gambin was investigated.
The Salvation Army's offer follows a rescue attempt in 2004 by a Public Broadcasting Limited-backed company whose directors included John Alexander, Mark Bouris and Gretel Packer. The company channelled about $1.8 million into the Just Enough Faith bank accounts and provided a PBL accountant to iron-out the foundation's book-keeping. Mr Gambin refused to co-operate, however, and the Packer alliance cut the flow of money and deregistered its company last December.
Just Enough Faith volunteers this week said they were angry Mr Gambin had given no explanation or apology about the claims.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Jeff Gambin has come under increasing pressure by trustees and volunteers to resign since it emerged more than a week ago that hundreds of thousands of dollars in the foundation's bank account appeared to have been used by Mr Gambin for gambling and other personal expenses between June 2005 and July 2007.
It also emerged that the foundation set up by Mr Gambin in 1993 to feed the city's homeless had been operating without a licence to fund-raise for all but six months of the past 11 years.
Mr Gambin has refused to discuss the allegations with the Herald, and is under investigation by the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing, the body responsible for overseeing charities.
In discussions with accountants and lawyers this week, the charity's board of trustees, which appears to consist of just two people, is also refusing to comment, as is the general manager Ian MacGregor.
On Monday night, the director of the Salvation Army's Oasis Youth Support Network, Paul Moulds, contacted Mr MacGregor offering to handle the running of the foundation's Rozelle kitchens and the food vans.
"It would be a tragedy for Sydney to see that service fall over," Captain Moulds said.
He said he had received a positive reception, although up to last night had still not been able to contact Mr Gambin.
Captain Moulds said The Salvation Army - whose status as a religious organisation makes it exempt from the need to carry a fund-raising licence - was also prepared to steward donations for Just Enough Faith while Mr Gambin was investigated.
The Salvation Army's offer follows a rescue attempt in 2004 by a Public Broadcasting Limited-backed company whose directors included John Alexander, Mark Bouris and Gretel Packer. The company channelled about $1.8 million into the Just Enough Faith bank accounts and provided a PBL accountant to iron-out the foundation's book-keeping. Mr Gambin refused to co-operate, however, and the Packer alliance cut the flow of money and deregistered its company last December.
Just Enough Faith volunteers this week said they were angry Mr Gambin had given no explanation or apology about the claims.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Saturday, May 03, 2008
In hard times, will business lose its heart?, by Natalie Craig - The Age - 25th April 2008
Those who can least afford to give, give most. It's a cliche, but one that charities' account books support: individuals donate more than twice as much as businesses in Australia.
So are businesses inherently stingy? If so, what will happen to business donations if the global credit crunch forces a reduction in spending?
BusinessDay spoke to charities, business leaders and research groups — and most said the credit crunch would reduce business donations. But many also insisted that how much less would depend heavily on the entrenchment of "corporate social responsibility" and on the take-up of employee-giving and volunteer schemes.
Mirvac chief executive Greg Paramor, a director of not-for-profit organisations including the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the National Breast Cancer Foundation, said he had already noticed a fall in company contributions.
"You hear anecdotally … everyone's saying 'Gee, so and so's cut their contribution'. Companies suddenly go, 'No I think we can cut that out. I know we gave last year but we won't this year'."
GiveWell Australia, which researches the not-for-profit sector, is warning charities to expect less corporate giving.
"I have started telling not-for-profits not to ratchet up fund-raising and financing expectations," said GiveWell director Michael Walsh. "Financial services companies have been big givers. They are cutting their discretionary budgets, and that's likely to include sponsorships and giving to charities."
In 2005, the last major government-funded research into the not-for-profit sector, the Giving Australia report, found that of $11 billion donated in 2004, $7.7 billion was donated by individuals, while businesses donated only $3.3 billion.
GiveWell Australia's statistics date back only to 1997, so there is no reliable evidence to indicate how Australian charities will fare in a prolonged economic downturn. Mr Walsh believes corporations have been increasing their share of giving, although this increase is likely to stop.
There have been early warning signs that business donations will decline. Coles Group has suspended its grants program indefinitely pending a "strategic review". Unsurprisingly, there are serious doubts about the ongoing benevolence of subprime victims such as Centro Properties Group, MFS and Allco. And the profits of the financial services sector, traditionally one of the biggest corporate givers, are expected to be hit hard by bad debts and the drying up of credit.
ANZ's annual profit is expected to fall well below last year's $4 billion, after a dismal interim results announcement on Wednesday. National Australia Bank, St George and Westpac, which will deliver their half-year results in the next three weeks, are also likely to curb spending and make provisions for bad debts.
This could mean a significant drop in donations. Westpac is committed to donating 1% of its pre-tax profit, and NAB says it is moving towards the 1% target. Last financial year, Westpac donated $52 million, or 1.3% of its profit; NAB donated 0.47% or $25.9 million, although the company expects to lift that to 1%, notwithstanding the credit crunch. The other big banks have extensive giving programs, but no profit-based commitment. ANZ said it valued "outcomes" over dollars, and subscribed to the London Benchmarking reporting system. It gave $17.8 million last year and had "a similar level of commitment" around strategic programs this year.
Tying donations to profit is now regarded as somewhat old hat; integrated community programs are preferred. A survey of 155 of Australia's top 1000 companies by Pro Bono Australia found that 29% had workplace giving programs and another 7% planned to introduce them soon.
Workplace giving schemes allow employees to make before-tax donations through their payroll. The employer can match these donations dollar-for-dollar. (Only a third of companies surveyed by Pro Bono match employees' donations dollar-for-dollar). This means a $10 donation can cost an employee $5, but be worth $20 to a charity.
Employee volunteering is surging. Melbourne Cares, which has programs linking businesses with disadvantaged schools and other groups, has noticed a marked increase in its network in the past year.
"We're not expecting a decrease in volunteers if the credit crunch gets worse," said Melbourne Cares director Leah Sertori.
"I think tough times make people more charitable. I also think when the pressure is on in the corporate environment it can be really rewarding for individuals to step outside of that sector and have a different experience in their work."
Mark Watt, director of White Lion, which supports young people in the juvenile justice system, agrees that the generosity of individuals and business leaders will increase as the credit crunch worsens.
"They are looking for meaning in their lives, some sort of engagement," he said. "They just want to get a balance."
So keen are business leaders to do their bit, more than 50 have this year volunteered to spend a night in the Old Melbourne Gaol to raise money for White Lion. Michelle Powell, managing director of Melbourne procurement company Waivestar, needs to raise $10,000 before she breaks out on May 31. She has two teenage children and wants to empathise with "disconnected youth".
"We all are so busy with our lives," she said. "I want to see what it's like to be locked up in jail. My staff are threatening not to bail me out. I reckon, great, it'll be a holiday for me."
Charities are confident that the generosity of people such as Powell, and the popularity of workplace giving, will give them a buffer against the effects of the credit crunch.
Walsh agrees formal corporate social responsibility programs, employee engagement and public relations nous will protect charities against a fall in discretionary donations by businesses.
"I think even though companies do experience pressure on their profits, they want to look after their staff and they want to continue to maintain their good image in the community," he said. "In fact, many see downturns as an opportunity to strengthen their image." Several corporations were at pains to stress increased participation and donations through these programs.
Coles Group refused to commit to its previous level of giving. Last year it gave about $1.3 million in grants to charities.
A spokesman said the review was because of Wesfarmers' takeover of Coles last year, and the businesses were working through their budgets for corporate giving for the next financial year.
But he said: "All the businesses that comprised the former Coles Group remain committed to supporting and partnering with a range of community and charity groups."
Philanthropy Australia chief executive Gina Anderson said the situation for not-for-profit organisations would worsen, but was not all "doom and gloom".
"Traditionally when things get tight, there's a pull-off on discretionary spending," she said. "I think any time there's an industry sector under pressure, companies will pull back on going to functions, donating to charities." She added that many companies had foundations that were separately funded legal entities.
Kim Madden, senior research fellow at the Australian Centre for Philanthropy, said corporate giving was increasingly linked to good staff relations.
"What has been rather surprising in my research is just how connected the giving is to human resources," she said. "They really do see the benefits for staff to become involved with the partnerships the companies have with non-profits. They are very serious about including it as a budget item."
But will corporate donations drop as individual generosity increases? Madden said that while US research had linked sharemarket declines to falls in corporate giving, there was not enough data to say what would happen in Australia.
Media Man Australia Profiles
Charity
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
So are businesses inherently stingy? If so, what will happen to business donations if the global credit crunch forces a reduction in spending?
BusinessDay spoke to charities, business leaders and research groups — and most said the credit crunch would reduce business donations. But many also insisted that how much less would depend heavily on the entrenchment of "corporate social responsibility" and on the take-up of employee-giving and volunteer schemes.
Mirvac chief executive Greg Paramor, a director of not-for-profit organisations including the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the National Breast Cancer Foundation, said he had already noticed a fall in company contributions.
"You hear anecdotally … everyone's saying 'Gee, so and so's cut their contribution'. Companies suddenly go, 'No I think we can cut that out. I know we gave last year but we won't this year'."
GiveWell Australia, which researches the not-for-profit sector, is warning charities to expect less corporate giving.
"I have started telling not-for-profits not to ratchet up fund-raising and financing expectations," said GiveWell director Michael Walsh. "Financial services companies have been big givers. They are cutting their discretionary budgets, and that's likely to include sponsorships and giving to charities."
In 2005, the last major government-funded research into the not-for-profit sector, the Giving Australia report, found that of $11 billion donated in 2004, $7.7 billion was donated by individuals, while businesses donated only $3.3 billion.
GiveWell Australia's statistics date back only to 1997, so there is no reliable evidence to indicate how Australian charities will fare in a prolonged economic downturn. Mr Walsh believes corporations have been increasing their share of giving, although this increase is likely to stop.
There have been early warning signs that business donations will decline. Coles Group has suspended its grants program indefinitely pending a "strategic review". Unsurprisingly, there are serious doubts about the ongoing benevolence of subprime victims such as Centro Properties Group, MFS and Allco. And the profits of the financial services sector, traditionally one of the biggest corporate givers, are expected to be hit hard by bad debts and the drying up of credit.
ANZ's annual profit is expected to fall well below last year's $4 billion, after a dismal interim results announcement on Wednesday. National Australia Bank, St George and Westpac, which will deliver their half-year results in the next three weeks, are also likely to curb spending and make provisions for bad debts.
This could mean a significant drop in donations. Westpac is committed to donating 1% of its pre-tax profit, and NAB says it is moving towards the 1% target. Last financial year, Westpac donated $52 million, or 1.3% of its profit; NAB donated 0.47% or $25.9 million, although the company expects to lift that to 1%, notwithstanding the credit crunch. The other big banks have extensive giving programs, but no profit-based commitment. ANZ said it valued "outcomes" over dollars, and subscribed to the London Benchmarking reporting system. It gave $17.8 million last year and had "a similar level of commitment" around strategic programs this year.
Tying donations to profit is now regarded as somewhat old hat; integrated community programs are preferred. A survey of 155 of Australia's top 1000 companies by Pro Bono Australia found that 29% had workplace giving programs and another 7% planned to introduce them soon.
Workplace giving schemes allow employees to make before-tax donations through their payroll. The employer can match these donations dollar-for-dollar. (Only a third of companies surveyed by Pro Bono match employees' donations dollar-for-dollar). This means a $10 donation can cost an employee $5, but be worth $20 to a charity.
Employee volunteering is surging. Melbourne Cares, which has programs linking businesses with disadvantaged schools and other groups, has noticed a marked increase in its network in the past year.
"We're not expecting a decrease in volunteers if the credit crunch gets worse," said Melbourne Cares director Leah Sertori.
"I think tough times make people more charitable. I also think when the pressure is on in the corporate environment it can be really rewarding for individuals to step outside of that sector and have a different experience in their work."
Mark Watt, director of White Lion, which supports young people in the juvenile justice system, agrees that the generosity of individuals and business leaders will increase as the credit crunch worsens.
"They are looking for meaning in their lives, some sort of engagement," he said. "They just want to get a balance."
So keen are business leaders to do their bit, more than 50 have this year volunteered to spend a night in the Old Melbourne Gaol to raise money for White Lion. Michelle Powell, managing director of Melbourne procurement company Waivestar, needs to raise $10,000 before she breaks out on May 31. She has two teenage children and wants to empathise with "disconnected youth".
"We all are so busy with our lives," she said. "I want to see what it's like to be locked up in jail. My staff are threatening not to bail me out. I reckon, great, it'll be a holiday for me."
Charities are confident that the generosity of people such as Powell, and the popularity of workplace giving, will give them a buffer against the effects of the credit crunch.
Walsh agrees formal corporate social responsibility programs, employee engagement and public relations nous will protect charities against a fall in discretionary donations by businesses.
"I think even though companies do experience pressure on their profits, they want to look after their staff and they want to continue to maintain their good image in the community," he said. "In fact, many see downturns as an opportunity to strengthen their image." Several corporations were at pains to stress increased participation and donations through these programs.
Coles Group refused to commit to its previous level of giving. Last year it gave about $1.3 million in grants to charities.
A spokesman said the review was because of Wesfarmers' takeover of Coles last year, and the businesses were working through their budgets for corporate giving for the next financial year.
But he said: "All the businesses that comprised the former Coles Group remain committed to supporting and partnering with a range of community and charity groups."
Philanthropy Australia chief executive Gina Anderson said the situation for not-for-profit organisations would worsen, but was not all "doom and gloom".
"Traditionally when things get tight, there's a pull-off on discretionary spending," she said. "I think any time there's an industry sector under pressure, companies will pull back on going to functions, donating to charities." She added that many companies had foundations that were separately funded legal entities.
Kim Madden, senior research fellow at the Australian Centre for Philanthropy, said corporate giving was increasingly linked to good staff relations.
"What has been rather surprising in my research is just how connected the giving is to human resources," she said. "They really do see the benefits for staff to become involved with the partnerships the companies have with non-profits. They are very serious about including it as a budget item."
But will corporate donations drop as individual generosity increases? Madden said that while US research had linked sharemarket declines to falls in corporate giving, there was not enough data to say what would happen in Australia.
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