Aussie Icons to Champion Philanthropy & Community Partnerships

High-profile Australians Maggie Beer and David Gonski have been named as Ambassadors for the inaugural Community and Philanthropy Partnerships Week.

Minister for Social Services, Christian Porter, and the CEO of Philanthropy Australia, Sarah Davies, said Beer and Gonski were the perfect role models to promote Australia’s culture of giving and highlight the importance of partnerships between philanthropic organisations and community groups.

“The week aims to bring together community and business leaders around Australia, to help advance our culture of philanthropy and volunteering,” Porter said.

“The immense contributions Maggie Beer and David Gonski have made to Australian society, through philanthropy and a commitment to community wellbeing, make them terrific Ambassadors for the Week.

“Ms Beer is one of Australia’s culinary icons – whose passion for nutritious food has spread beyond her kitchen to the community and aged care facilities. Mr Gonski is one of Australia’s leading businessmen and a key architect of our nation’s modern philanthropic culture.”

Philanthropy Australia CEO, Sarah Davies, said that collaboration was essential to delivering positive change in communities.

“It’s really important to share ideas, approaches and learnings about how philanthropy can work with community organisations, and most importantly to celebrate these partnerships, and that’s why we are proud to be part of this great initiative,” Davies said.

Community and Philanthropy Partnerships Week is an initiative supported through the Prime Minister's Community Business Partnership. Philanthropy Australia has been working in partnership with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal to establish the event.

David Gonski said he was pleased to support Community and Philanthropy Partnerships Week as an Ambassador.

“I am a strong believer in the need to grow philanthropy in Australia, and think that it is important to showcase the wonderful things which can happen when philanthropy and community organisations work together,” Gonski said.

“This year’s theme of ‘Achieving More Together’ is very fitting, and the inaugural Community and Philanthropy Partnerships Week will be an excellent opportunity to celebrate and promote Australia’s culture of giving.”

Maggie Beer said Australia was “very lucky” to have vibrant and diverse communities.

“I know that’s the case for my local community in the Barossa Valley. That’s why I’m delighted to be an Ambassador for Community and Philanthropy Partnerships Week, because it’s so important to celebrate the great things that happen when communities and philanthropy come together,” Beer said.

Through the Department of Social Services, the Federal Government has pledged $650,000 over the next three years for Community and Philanthropy Partnerships Week. A number of organisations across Australia have received grants to celebrate their philanthropic and community partnerships.

There are events being held in every state, and across rural, regional and remote Australia.The scheduled events are available on the Community and Philanthropy Partnerships Week event register.