Media Man Australia Profiles
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Saturday, November 22, 2008
I was misunderstood, says furious Harvey, by Paul Bibby - The Sydney Morning Herald - 22nd November 2008
Australian charities have lambasted billionaire Gerry Harvey over his statements in a new book that donating money to charities that help the homeless is wasted, but the retail king says his comments have been misunderstood.
"I'm furious. I haven't suggested that homeless people shouldn't get anything. What I said was that I believed in helping people reach their potential," he told the Herald
"I've done plenty of giving in my time. I've given heaps of money to bloody charity. This caused me a lot of pain. It's bullshit."
Mr Harvey's offices were inundated with calls after the release of a new book, in which he says that giving money to people who "are not putting anything back into the community" is like "helping a whole heap of no-hopers to survive for no good reason".
"You could go out and give a million dollars to a charity tomorrow to help the homeless. You could argue that it is just wasted," Mr Harvey said.
Charities contacted by the Herald said his comments were misguided. "I think Mr Harvey would have a hard time trying to find an organisation that would waste a million dollars in the way he said it might be," Anglicare spokesman James Wackett said.
"Organisations like ours … are about solving problems, not perpetuating them. We've all moved … from simple charity to addressing the causes of poverty."
(Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Gerry Harvey
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
"I'm furious. I haven't suggested that homeless people shouldn't get anything. What I said was that I believed in helping people reach their potential," he told the Herald
"I've done plenty of giving in my time. I've given heaps of money to bloody charity. This caused me a lot of pain. It's bullshit."
Mr Harvey's offices were inundated with calls after the release of a new book, in which he says that giving money to people who "are not putting anything back into the community" is like "helping a whole heap of no-hopers to survive for no good reason".
"You could go out and give a million dollars to a charity tomorrow to help the homeless. You could argue that it is just wasted," Mr Harvey said.
Charities contacted by the Herald said his comments were misguided. "I think Mr Harvey would have a hard time trying to find an organisation that would waste a million dollars in the way he said it might be," Anglicare spokesman James Wackett said.
"Organisations like ours … are about solving problems, not perpetuating them. We've all moved … from simple charity to addressing the causes of poverty."
(Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Gerry Harvey
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Friday, November 21, 2008
Harvey: charity not so sweet, by Michael Evans - The Sydney Morning Herald - 21st November 2008
The retail king Gerry Harvey may have a personal fortune of about $1.6 billion but the Harvey Norman founder thinks donating to charity is "just wasted".
Asked in a new book about the role he and Harvey Norman play in the community, Mr Harvey said giving money to people who "are not putting anything back into the community" is like "helping a whole heap of no-hopers to survive for no good reason".
He said he believed in helping "develop people to their potential" because "when they achieve [their potential] they will put a lot more back into the community".
"You could go out and give a million dollars to a charity tomorrow to help the homeless. You could argue that it is just wasted. They are not putting anything back into the community.
"It might be a callous way of putting it but what are they doing? You are helping a whole heap of no-hopers to survive for no good reason. They are just a drag on the whole community.
"So did that million you gave them help? It helped to keep them alive but did it help our society? No. Society might have been better off without them but we are supposed to look after the disadvantaged and so we do it. But it doesn't help the society."
Mr Harvey added: "That is not to say we don't give money away to charities because we have given plenty away over the years. At the end of the day, the more quality individuals you develop in the community, the better off the community should be."
Earlier this year, Harvey Norman donated beds to a charity, Bridge Back to Life, that helps homeless men find rental accommodation.
The comments are in a new book, Master CEOs, by the Sydney funds manager Matthew Kidman.
Clare Martin, the chief executive of the Australian Council of Social Service, said: "I have really been impressed at corporate Australia and their real involvement in the wider community … and I always thought that Harvey Norman shared that as well.
"It does surprise me that Gerry Harvey, who's a very significant business figure, should not share the values of many other corporates."
In the interview, Mr Harvey also said that despite his wealth, "I still have a fear about going broke. I always think about it."
(Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Gerry Harvey
Asked in a new book about the role he and Harvey Norman play in the community, Mr Harvey said giving money to people who "are not putting anything back into the community" is like "helping a whole heap of no-hopers to survive for no good reason".
He said he believed in helping "develop people to their potential" because "when they achieve [their potential] they will put a lot more back into the community".
"You could go out and give a million dollars to a charity tomorrow to help the homeless. You could argue that it is just wasted. They are not putting anything back into the community.
"It might be a callous way of putting it but what are they doing? You are helping a whole heap of no-hopers to survive for no good reason. They are just a drag on the whole community.
"So did that million you gave them help? It helped to keep them alive but did it help our society? No. Society might have been better off without them but we are supposed to look after the disadvantaged and so we do it. But it doesn't help the society."
Mr Harvey added: "That is not to say we don't give money away to charities because we have given plenty away over the years. At the end of the day, the more quality individuals you develop in the community, the better off the community should be."
Earlier this year, Harvey Norman donated beds to a charity, Bridge Back to Life, that helps homeless men find rental accommodation.
The comments are in a new book, Master CEOs, by the Sydney funds manager Matthew Kidman.
Clare Martin, the chief executive of the Australian Council of Social Service, said: "I have really been impressed at corporate Australia and their real involvement in the wider community … and I always thought that Harvey Norman shared that as well.
"It does surprise me that Gerry Harvey, who's a very significant business figure, should not share the values of many other corporates."
In the interview, Mr Harvey also said that despite his wealth, "I still have a fear about going broke. I always think about it."
(Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Gerry Harvey
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Friday, November 07, 2008
Richard gets Holly and Sam involved in star-studded fundraiser - Hello Magazine - 6th November 2008
For most father-children teams typical family activities might include a trip to the cinema or a day at the park. Not for the Bransons, though. Weeks after Richard Branson and his 26-year-old daughter Holly and son Sam, 23, braved ferocious storms and choppy waters on a transatlantic speed sailing attempt, the trio reunited to host a glittering charity fundraiser.
Holly - who left her medical career earlier this year to take up a position with her father's company - and Sam, who intends to follow his sister's lead in the future, joined high profile guests at the charity auction supper in London. Those attending included Holly's royal pal Princess Beatrice and her mum the Duchess of York.
Partygoers bid for lots, including a holiday at Sir Richard's private island in the British Virgin Islands and a trip to Jamaica hosted by Bob Marley's wife, to raise funds for the billionaire entrepreneur's Virgin Unite organisation. The charity gives aid to a number of causes, from global health issues to the homeless.
Other famous faces at the event included British funnyman David Walliams, Welsh actor Rhys Ifans and US singer Kelly Rowland. Providing the entertainment on the night was Aussie songbird Natalie Imbruglia, who perform a set of her hits.
(Credit: Hello Magazine)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Virgin Unite
Holly - who left her medical career earlier this year to take up a position with her father's company - and Sam, who intends to follow his sister's lead in the future, joined high profile guests at the charity auction supper in London. Those attending included Holly's royal pal Princess Beatrice and her mum the Duchess of York.
Partygoers bid for lots, including a holiday at Sir Richard's private island in the British Virgin Islands and a trip to Jamaica hosted by Bob Marley's wife, to raise funds for the billionaire entrepreneur's Virgin Unite organisation. The charity gives aid to a number of causes, from global health issues to the homeless.
Other famous faces at the event included British funnyman David Walliams, Welsh actor Rhys Ifans and US singer Kelly Rowland. Providing the entertainment on the night was Aussie songbird Natalie Imbruglia, who perform a set of her hits.
(Credit: Hello Magazine)
Media Man Australia Profiles
Virgin Unite
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Australia’s richest entrepreneurs support indigenous jobs pact, by James Thomson - 31st October 2008
Some of Australia’s richest entrepreneurs including Rupert Murdoch, James Packer and Andrew Forrest have backed a historic agreement designed to provide 50,000 jobs for indigenous Australians.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd signed the Australian Employment Covenant in a ceremony in Canberra yesterday. The pact, which was created by one of Australia’s richest men, Fortescue Metals Group chief Andrew Forrest, is aimed at breaking the welfare cycle by providing more than 50,000 jobs to indigenous Australians.
More than 15 major companies have signed up to the agreement, including Fortescue, Santos, Lindsay Fox’s trucking group Linfox and James Packer’s casino group Crown. More than 5000 jobs have already been committed to.
Forrest told the group that Australia had to address the challenge of helping indigenous people and thanked his fellow entrepreneurs for supporting the initiative despite the uncertain economic climate.
“Yes, times are crook in Tullarook right now, but nowhere will it be crooker, nowhere will the suffering be more intense during any monetary meltdown than in our most underprivileged.”
The Federal Government will also set up a program offering $20 million worth of scholarships to help up to 2000 indigenous students attend some of the country's top secondary schools.
Aboriginal leader Noel Pearson wept after the singing of the agreement.
“We're going to look back on this... as that moment in the history of the country when government and society made a commitment to people that if you take up the cudgels of responsibility we will guarantee you a job, we will set forth before you a prospect of climbing up in the world, a home, a future for your children, a fair stake in this, your own land.”
Companies interested in participating in the Australian Employment Covenant can find more information at www.fiftythousandjobs.com.au
Media Man Australia Profiles
Rupert Murdoch
James Packer
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd signed the Australian Employment Covenant in a ceremony in Canberra yesterday. The pact, which was created by one of Australia’s richest men, Fortescue Metals Group chief Andrew Forrest, is aimed at breaking the welfare cycle by providing more than 50,000 jobs to indigenous Australians.
More than 15 major companies have signed up to the agreement, including Fortescue, Santos, Lindsay Fox’s trucking group Linfox and James Packer’s casino group Crown. More than 5000 jobs have already been committed to.
Forrest told the group that Australia had to address the challenge of helping indigenous people and thanked his fellow entrepreneurs for supporting the initiative despite the uncertain economic climate.
“Yes, times are crook in Tullarook right now, but nowhere will it be crooker, nowhere will the suffering be more intense during any monetary meltdown than in our most underprivileged.”
The Federal Government will also set up a program offering $20 million worth of scholarships to help up to 2000 indigenous students attend some of the country's top secondary schools.
Aboriginal leader Noel Pearson wept after the singing of the agreement.
“We're going to look back on this... as that moment in the history of the country when government and society made a commitment to people that if you take up the cudgels of responsibility we will guarantee you a job, we will set forth before you a prospect of climbing up in the world, a home, a future for your children, a fair stake in this, your own land.”
Companies interested in participating in the Australian Employment Covenant can find more information at www.fiftythousandjobs.com.au
Media Man Australia Profiles
Rupert Murdoch
James Packer
Social and Community Entrepreneurs
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