Philanthropy

You can’t go anywhere without hearing about climate change. There’s no denying that it’s a critical issue for many of us when thinking about the future. Today as I walked to work I noticed a young man wearing a T-shirt with an image of Earth and text that said ‘Defend Tomorrow’ and it was clear what his views were.

It’s great to see this sort of passion, but it made me think about the thousands of volunteers who contribute to The Smith Family’s work, because their social conscience is undoubtedly just as strong as this man’s, just perhaps less overt.

Although many Australians are continuing to feel the effects of the global financial crisis, The Smith Family has been inundated with requests from members of the public to offer their services as volunteers over the Christmas period.

Continue reading "Why giving your time is the best Chrissy gift of all" »

This is a sad week for Australia.

For more than 30 years the not-for-profit organisation Young Achievement Australia brought business skills to some 190,000 students. It was a beacon of inspiration, a source of knowledge, and a cultivator of leadership for thousands of young Aussies.

This week YAA will shut down, because its funding has dried up. It is a tragedy for all of those who have experienced its excellence, and for all of those who never will.

Continue reading "Light flickering out for a beacon of our prosperity" »

The Kimberley is spectacular and spiritual. However, it’s not a place to get a flat tyre or have any other mechanical failure. I know, I had a flat there in July. Believe me, finding a working jack, an inflated spare and the manual can take on real meaning. 

In the course of the next hour, four cars came down this rutted and dusty road.  Despite being covered in red dust, oil, blackened by the tyre remains and wielding a large tyre lever, not one of those drivers assumed I was Ivan Milat or Bradley Murdoch. Each pulled up to offer assistance. All courageously took the risk to make sure I was safe. I wondered if we would do this closer to home?

A good friend once told me the story of running out of petrol and being given a full can of petrol by a stranger, whose only request was “refill the can, keep it in your boot and pass it on to someone else.”

Continue reading "Charter For Compassion – let’s pass the can around" »