Australia’s summer of bushfires have left a trail of destruction, including the wholesale economic devastation of entire communities.
With some local economies facing ruin, the business community through two Business Council initiatives is determined to help bushfire affected communities get back on their feet, rebuild and come back stronger than before.
Workplace responsibilities
Regulatory and taxation relief
Useful government resources
In partnership with Equity Trustees the Business Council has founded the Australian Volunteer Support Trust to assist the families of any volunteer in Australia who tragically loses their lives through their volunteer work.
The trust will be a permanent and ongoing fund to support the children of volunteers who have died fighting these fires and future disasters. Primarily, the trust will meet the ongoing educational needs of the children of volunteers who have given their lives.
The trust will be effective from 1 July 2019 to include the current bushfires and administered by Equity Trustees to respond to the current situation and future emergencies. This initiative will aim to raise an initial sum of $25 million.
The trust will be overseen by an advisory panel chaired by the Hon Jeff Kennett AC and supported by Jennifer Westacott AO, David Gonski AC, Dame Quentin Bryce, Lisa Paul AO, PSM, representatives from the Australian emergency service volunteer organisations and other prominent Australians.
For inquiries please contact us by email.
Businesses or individuals who would like to make a financial contribution BizRebuild can do so online here.
Donations to the Australian Volunteer Support Trust can be made online here.
The trusts will be audited and report their activities regularly to the market.
More detail is avaliable online here.
Business Council members have made cash donations of more than $33 million to bushfire related charities and are committing millions more in in-kind support for affected communities.
See here for a snapshot of what Business Council members are already doing in their communities.
