Tim Costello Celebrates Milestone
4 March 2015 at 3:10 pm
One of the most influential and respected people in Australia’s Not for Profit sector has celebrated a milestone birthday with a twist.
Reverend Tim Costello, CEO of World Vision Australia, was presented with a large cake by his colleagues as he marked his 60th birthday.
But it looks like presents were out of the question with Costello asking people to instead donate to World Vision’s clean water appeal.
Costello created his own campaign and called on other people to do the same for their own birthdays.
Reflecting on his life, Costello said it was hard to believe that he could now be eligible for a seniors card.
“It really doesn’t seem too long ago since I was a student, carefree, excited about what lay ahead, and now here I am,” Costello said.
“I’ve had a fortunate, a blessed life.”
Costello set a fundraising target of $1000 for himself and has already raised $900.
He said he was encouraged to start the initiative after travelling to countries where access to clean water was a privilege more than a basic right.
In December last year Costello was voted as the most influential person in the Not for Profit sector in Pro Bono Australia’s first Impact 25.
As the CEO of World Vision Australia for the last 10 years, Costello is often chosen as a spokesperson for the Not for Profit sector.
2014 saw him Chair the C20, bringing community issues to the world leaders at the G20 Conference in Brisbane.
He frequently speaks on issues of social justice, gender equality, the treatment of asylum seekers and disaster relief and is also Chair of the Community Council for Australia.
