An international campaign to eradicate nuclear weapons, a project supporting an Indigenous women’s ranger program in Arnhem Land, an initiative transforming access to education for young women in Cambodia, a training program for environmental community leaders, an program to revitalise tourism in Queensland’s outback, Australia’s first justice reinvestment initiative and an influential member of the arts community have all been recognised at the 2019 Australian Philanthropy Awards held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

The recipients of the fifth annual Australian Philanthropy Awards have been recognised for supporting initiatives that make real change in the community, both locally and internationally.

Australian Philanthropy Awards Chair, Jenny Wheatley, said she hoped each recipient inspired others to achieve similar results.

“It has been exciting to see how the awards have grown over the last five years to attract a record number of nominations for this year’s event. These nominations reflect philanthropy’s increasing impact and visibility,” Wheatley said.

Awards were presented across seven categories: Leading Philanthropist, Best Large Grant, Best Small Grant, Environmental Philanthropy Award, Gender Wise Philanthropy Award, Indigenous Philanthropy Award and the International Philanthropy Award.

In accepting the 2019 Leading Philanthropist Award, Philip Bacon AM, said he felt privileged to be able to help others achieve their often life-changing work.

“We all give, or enable others to give, so that the great work of our artists and performers, our researchers and doctors, our teachers and scientists can continue,” he said.

“For me, the Arts are at the centre of my world. I believe utterly in their importance and know how bereft we would all be if art stopped being made, music wasn’t heard, plays weren’t performed, little girls stopped being taken to the ballet by their grandmothers, and the Sydney Opera House became a museum, because Opera could no longer be afforded,” he said.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all recipients. I hope you encourage others to contribute to an innovative, influential and high performing philanthropic sector,” Wheatley said.

“Each recipient of this year’s Australian Philanthropy Award category is a true example of more and better philanthropy in action,” she said.