Queensland Philanthropy Awards 2024 winners announced

Seven of Queensland’s leading individual and corporate philanthropists have been named winners across a range of categories at the 2024 Queensland Philanthropy Awards. The awards were announced at a lunchtime ceremony at Brisbane City Hall, which more than 1,000 people attended. They were treated to guest appearances from tennis star Ash Barty AO and her father Rob, who spoke about the new Ash Barty Foundation.

Plus, we feature the winning image in the 2024 Queensland Philanthropy Week Photo Challenge, awarded earlier in the week.

The Queensland Gives event was attended by guests from the state’s vibrant philanthropy sector. Guests included government representatives, community and business leaders, along with the inspiring individuals working every day to make a difference in communities across the state.

Nicholas Marchesi OAM and Lucas Patchett OAM, Co-founders of Orange Sky Australia, were MCs. Ms Barty and her father spoke about their work with the newly established Ash Barty Foundation.

New Philanthropy Australia CEO Maree Sidey was pleased to host a table of key stakeholders to celebrate philanthropy in the state from which her family comes.

Brisbane-based Kim Harland, Philanthropy Australia’s Director of National Membership and Engagement, said: “The atmosphere in the room was so warm and celebratory of the amazing work being done by so many in Queensland.

“The room was full and guests included many notable guests – especially 300 secondary school students who were there to learn more about philanthropy.

“It was really inspiring to hear from Ash Barty and her father Rob, who is Chair of the Ash Barty Foundation. They shared their values, purpose and commitment, firstly to Ash’s career, but also to giving back to the community. It’s exciting to think about what the foundation will achieve.”

Queensland Gives CEO Tara Castle congratulated this year’s winners and said in her eyes, every nominee was a winner having demonstrated incredible commitment to supporting and promoting charitable causes throughout Queensland.

“Now more than ever, it’s important to highlight and celebrate the good work being done day-in, day-out by individuals, businesses, charities and community groups,” she said.

“These awards are about celebrating the extraordinary contribution of everyday Queenslanders who go above and beyond for their chosen cause, and all our nominees have demonstrated different facets of philanthropy by putting kindness, generosity and compassion into action.

“It’s really important to celebrate the wonderful work done by all philanthropists and hold them up as important role models to others.

“The calibre and range of nominees for this year’s awards proves that philanthropy isn’t just about giving big lump sums of cash to a cause. It can also be about volunteering, giving time and love and lending support, sometimes quite creatively, to those in need in whatever form you can.

“We hope we have created new conversations and new interest in giving and philanthropy not just in Queensland but all over Australia.”

The Queensland Philanthropy Awards are now in their 14th year. Established by the Honourable Mike Ahern AO in 1997, Queensland Community Foundation is a community giving fund heavily embedded in the community that provides ongoing funding to charities throughout the state, in perpetuity, through Queensland Gives.

The 2024 Philanthropists of the Year are listed below.

2024 Queensland Community Philanthropist of the Year – Clive Berghofer OAM

Sponsored by Anglo American

Mr Berghofer’s philanthropic leadership is deeply rooted in his personal journey from humble beginnings to remarkable success. To date, he has donated more than $100 million to charitable causes, but his commitment to the community extends beyond monetary donations. His involvement in local government and community service reflects a holistic approach to philanthropy and his previous roles as a councillor, mayor, and state MP allowed him to contribute significantly through volunteering, fundraising, and advocacy. As a patron and life member of numerous organisations, Clive has generously provided his time and insights.

2024 Queensland Corporate Philanthropist of the Year – Auto & General Insurance Company

Sponsored by QIC

A&G has supported Act for Kids since 2008 and in 2012 formally named the charity the company’s major community partner. Since then, A&G has provided more than $5.6 million in total support to Act for Kids. In 2023 alone, A&G donations enabled 2,834 hours of therapy to 447 children who experienced harm.

A&G also offers Employee Donation Matching, with all employee donations to Australian registered charities dollar matched by A&G up to $10,000 per charity per employee per year, and eligible employees are gifted a leave day each year to volunteer. A&G also provides ongoing support to groups including the Kawana Surf Lifesaving Club, Deception Bay PCYC, the Sunlight Centre, World Wellness Group, Yalari and OzHarvest.

2024 Queensland Environmental Philanthropist of the Year – Shannon Mead

Sponsored by Goodman Private Wealth

Mr Mead founded No More Butts (NMB) in 2020 to help tackle the most littered item in Queensland, Australia and the world – cigarette butts. Focusing on advocacy, research and programs, NMB conducts pro-bono programs which have helped remove tens of thousands of butts from the environment and is working with James Cook University to research potential uses for collected cigarette butts.

2024 Queensland Innovative Philanthropist of the Year – Juliette Wright OAM

Sponsored by QUT

Ms Wright is the founder of GIVIT, an organisation that connects donors to those in need across Australia. GIVIT has changed the face of Australian philanthropy, proving that impactful contributions aren’t limited to the wealthy and all individuals can make meaningful contributions which impact community recovery outcomes. GIVIT is Australia’s fastest growing charity and now facilitates over 37,000 donations per week, collaborating with over 4,500 support organisations as well as the Qld, NSW, Vic, ACT and WA Governments during disasters.

2024 Queensland SME Philanthropist of the Year – Shweta Khan/Starfire Diamonds

Sponsored by Deloitte

For over a decade, Shweta Khan of Starfire Diamonds has provided financial and practical help to more than a dozen Queensland charities including the Women’s Legal Service Queensland, GIVIT, the Pyjama Foundation, the Heart Foundation and Aussie Kids. As an active volunteer and donor, Ms Khan’s active philanthropic involvement underscores a multifaceted approach to philanthropy, emphasising both financial support and hands-on assistance. Her support has facilitated crucial services and resources, from food donations to help the homeless through to substantial financial assistance to provide free legal and support services to women and children impacted by domestic violence.

2024 Queensland Philanthropic Foundation of the Year – Prince Charles Hospital Foundation

Sponsored by Queensland Public Trustee

For almost 40 years, the Prince Charles Hospital Foundation has driven and helped fund strategic philanthropic initiatives to address critical health needs, encourage collaboration and inspire further investment. On average, the Foundation provides around $5 million to support health and hospital services, including research into lung disease, heart disease and mental health, and provides support for sick and injured children across nine separate Queensland hospitals.

2024 Queensland Emerging Philanthropist of the Year – Katelyn Aslett/My Giving Table

Sponsored by Perpetual

Katelyn Aslett has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through My Giving Table, a platform that allows individuals to host dinner parties or small gatherings with a chosen ticket price becoming the charitable contribution. Ms Aslett and her husband, Chef Kev, generously donate meals and their time to fundraising events, and aim to inspire more chefs to participate in MGT. Each year, My Giving Table raises between $100,000-$180,000 for charity and has provided funding to Women’s Legal Service Queensland, Open Haven, Chicks in Pink, Orange Sky Laundry, MND, Trudy Crowley Foundation, Birthing Kits Australia, Toybox, VMR, Orangutan Rescue & Koala Foundation.

Photo Challenge winner shows how helping others ‘feeds the soul’

Earlier in the week, the winner of the 2024 Queensland Gives Photo Challenge was announced. at State Parliament on 3 June. The winning image is titled Nourishing Our Country and shows a warm embrace between Havafeed Food Rescue co-ordinator Tracey Talbot and recipient-turned-volunteer Peter.

The heartwarming image was taken by Melina Muensterman and submitted by Ozharvest’s Marika Mammen, who will donate her $2,000 prizemoney to OzHarvest to further support their valuable work across the Gold Coast region.

Queensland Gives CEO Tara Castle said this year’s Photo Challenge judging panel had a difficult task: “The calibre of images submitted to our Photo Challenge competition improves every year and our 2024 entries are testament to that.

“Melina’s winning photo perfectly captures how the spirit of giving can become a catalyst for change and help inspire others to find their own way to support people in need.

“In Peter’s own words: ‘If it wasn’t for Havafeed I wouldn’t be here – they saved my life! I lived under a tree in the park and had no food. Havafeed would provide me with food they received from OzHarvest. I was so grateful I started volunteering for them. It gave me purpose and changed my whole life.'”

The finalists were:

• Richie’s Bake Sale – submitted by Elizabeth Calligeros – photographed in Brisbane.
• The G Code – submitted by Benjamin Knight – photographed in Mount Isa.
• Chat with the Old Man – submitted by Katie Robertson – photographed in Dalby.
• Generational Kindness- submitted by Matt Taylor – photographed in Townsville.

All finalists’ photographs will be part of a travelling roadshow hosted across a number of corporate offices in Brisbane. The Photo Challenge is proudly supported by the Queensland Public Trustee.