The Ireland Funds Australia celebrated the start of March “the Irish month” by saying thank you to our wonderful supporters at our 2020 Supporters Reception, kindly hosted by Partner David Murray of Deloitte in their stylish Sydney offices. David welcomed the Fund back for the second time and said he was proud to be involved with the work of the Fund supporting many people and projects including Soar – Inspired by the Jim Stynes Reach Foundation of Melbourne.
Chairman, Yvonne Le Bas, welcomed Ambassador Richard Andrews who had just arrived back from his posting in Ireland, fellow Board Members Dr. Tom Moore, John Gallagher, Executive Director Teresa Keating. Dr. Stanley Quek, Chairman of The Ireland Funds Singapore, Governors and major Sponsors including Coolmore, PwC and Lifestyle Solutions. Chairman of The Lansdowne Club Philip O’Sullivan was also acknowledged as The Ireland Funds are proud to continue to be The Lansdowne Club’s “Charity of Choice”. With over 3,000 members, The Lansdowne Club is Australia’s premier Irish business network and we are thrilled to partner with them over the next few years.
Yvonne commenced proceedings by acknowledging the catastrophic bushfires that raged across Australia over summer, devastating the environment and wildlife, destroying an area more than 1.5x the size of Ireland. The Ireland Funds Australia is mobilising chapters all over the world and asking our supporters here to help us to provide a Global Irish Response to this tragedy and help green Australia and care for the wildlife as the rescue, rebuild and recovery effort begins.
Yvonne also provided a snapshot of recent significant impacts of the Fund including our most recent Grant Round which saw us donate over $400,000 to support 18 projects in Ireland and Australia.
You can view our Trustee Report here
Former Australian Ambassador to Ireland, Richard Andrews also spoke paying tribute to his former Deputy Simon Mamouney who died tragically a week before in Canberra. During the Ambassador’s time in Ireland The Ireland Funds Australia worked closely with him to form a partnership with Trinity College to provide Scholarship places for Australian residents at Trinity College, launched by the Governor General on his visit to Ireland.
Executive Director Teresa Keating personally thanked everyone who continues to support the Fund, this help truly does make a difference and gives hope to so many, a powerful gift indeed.
The Ireland Funds Australia would especially love support to help us to provide a warm and caring response to Australia, a country that has been so welcoming to so many Irish people. It’s going to take many years to recover, please let’s all come together and show our support to Australia, when she now needs us. Please donate yourself if you can, and help us to share this message wide and far to the Global and Local Irish Diaspora.
Photos: KristyLee Photography
