Page 2553 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 6 August 2013
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Philanthropy is not about replacing government funding with private support. Rather, it is about combining the best of philanthropic support with the best of government support. I look forward to continuing to work with my Assembly colleagues, the community and the private sector to support and facilitate philanthropic giving in Canberra.
MR DOSZPOT (Molonglo) (4.36): I welcome the opportunity to speak on this matter, as we believe here in Canberra we have some outstanding organisations, but more importantly some outstanding individuals and businesses who every day of their lives, in big and small ways, make a difference to someone else through their generosity. Mr Gentleman has covered a number of people and organisations in Canberra, but it would be remiss of me if I did not, on behalf of the Canberra Liberals, add our voice in support of these and also some additional ones and acknowledge the work that they do.
Canberra’s historical, cultural and scientific life is enriched by longstanding and major philanthropy to the national institutions—the National Gallery, the Australian War Memorial, the National Library, the National Portrait Gallery and Questacon, just to name a few. While these are bequeaths and donations to the nation, Canberra and Canberrans are immediate beneficiaries.
In its 2008 review of philanthropy in the ACT, the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services highlighted that one of the many distinguishing features of Australian philanthropy is its secretiveness. Many individuals or companies who make gifts do not like their generosity to be known, and they do not for a number of reasons. While it is difficult to assess accurately the level of giving by and to people in any given state, the general rule of thumb is that it is in direct proportion to the number of businesses. On that basis one could assume—and indeed the 2008 review did—that, as Canberra has less businesses located here than other states, our non-profit organisations may be disadvantaged in terms of accessing funds from their local business community.
However, my own personal experience would suggest that it is not the case, and I will take you through some outstanding examples. At the individual level, we know that Canberra has a big heart when it comes to people donating their time to worthy causes. In fact Canberra has among the highest percentage of its population who volunteer their time—people who surveys show work full time and have the usual pressures of family and mortgages and are very time-poor, but who still want to do their bit to help someone less fortunate.
We have many people who support the 65 roses fundraising for those with cystic fibrosis, and who buy daffodils and stage morning teas for cancer. The Canberra Cancerians Committee is renowned as being one of the most successful fundraising groups for cancer research. The “high hat” ladies raise serious money for various schools. There are people who buy red noses for SIDS and Kids, cupcakes for the RSPCA and wear jeans and buy badges on Jeans for Genes Day.
We all know someone who does some form of volunteering. In my trips around schools, I see a number of parents and grandparents who give up their time to help in
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