Industry Focus

NEWS Big change on a small scale As the first bank and oldest company in Australia, Westpac is in a prime position to support smaller community organisations working hard to bring about social change. Through the Westpac Foundation Community Grants Program, $540,000 will be distributed this year to groups working for Australians most in need. In addition, Westpac Retail and Business Banking is debuting another initiative— the Community Leaders Award—to celebrate unsung heroes and thank inspirational leaders effecting positive change in society through their service to Not for Profit organisations in Australia. The awards will highlight those who work tirelessly for disadvantaged Australians and will be judged across four categories: Start-up Not for Profit Executives; Established Not for Profit Executives; Treasurers; and Social Entrepreneurs. Who are the community leaders of 2013? The short-listed candidates in the inaugural Westpac Community Leaders Awards 2013 have been announced. The 12 finalists met on 20 November and a winner in each category was chosen. Meet the three finalists from each category in the running to be named Westpac Community Leader for 2013: Start-up Not for Profit Executive • Melanie Cass (VIC), Manager at EDAR Arts. • Kevin Robinson (NSW), CEO and founder of Little Wings. • Melanie Tate (SA), CEO and founder of Puddle Jumpers. Established Not for Profit Executive • Nicky Howe (WA), CEO at Southcare Inc. • Rachelle Towart (ACT), CEO at Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre. • Margie Jenkin (TAS), Executive Officer at Landcare Tasmania. Treasurer • Allen Chen (ACT), Treasurer at UN Youth Australia. • Neville John (VIC), Treasurer at Kildonan UnitingCare. • John Dawes (SA), Treasurer at Riverland Youth Theatre. Social Entrepreneur • Tania De Jong (VIC), Chair and founder of Creativity Australia. • Dimity Dornan (QLD), Executive Director and founder of Hear and Say. • Michael Combs (NSW), CEO and founder of CareerTrackers. Each category winner receives $5000 plus $5000 worth of financial education training at the Davidson Institute. Winners will also receive a personal prize—a $500 Westpac Mastercard gift card. Visit www.westpac.com.au/socialsectorbanking for more information and to see who the winners are. Prepare for the future Embracing the skills of young Australians to move the social sector into the 21st century was the major theme discussed at the recent Westpac Social Sector thought-leadership event, held in Melbourne on 17 October. Foundation for Young Australians CEO, Jan Owen AM, said there is a great need for a transfer of leadership to the next generation within the sector. "There has been little to no thought or planning around what will happen as the current generation of leaders and volunteers age out," she said. "There are a lot of young people in the sector whose skills are not being fully utilised and we really need to focus on that." Owen defines the current challenges for shaping the future of Not for Profits (NFPs) as creating a generation of jobcreators, rather than jobseekers; encouraging young people to seek experience in NFPs as a place to enhance their skill sets; and assisting individuals to identify their strengths and nurture their growth and development. Turn to page 6 to read more about the ideas discussed at the event, at which Owen and Reverend Tim Costello AO, CEO of World Vision Australia, were guest speakers. Social Sector • Issue 1 5

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