“The Week aims to bring together community and business leaders around Australia, to help advance our culture of philanthropy and volunteering,” said Minister for Social Services, Christian Porter said.
Philanthropy Australia has been working in partnership with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal to bring Community and Philanthropy Partnerships week to fruition.
“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,” said Minister Porter.
Beer is a national culinary icon and began the Maggie Beer Foundation in 2014 to advance nutritional welfare of individuals in aged care facilities.
Gonski is one of Australia’s leading businessmen and philanthropists. He commented that he was pleased to support the initiative through ambassadorship.
“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,” he said.
Through the Department of Social Services, the Commonwealth Government is investing $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.