Macquarie bank foundation helps NSW community in latest grants round

31 January 2006

The Premier’s Debating Challenge, a review of clinical procedures used to correct childhood deformities and work by Sydney researchers into the growing incidence of stroke death in China are among the New South Wales programs to receive funding in the latest round of grants approved by the Macquarie Bank Foundation.

At its latest quarterly Board meeting, the Macquarie Bank Foundation approved community grants worth in excess of $1.5 million to more than 30 community organisations.

NSW organisations which received support included:

• NSW Department of Education and Training, to support the Premier’s Debating Challenge to develop students’ public speaking skills
• Sydney Children’s Hospital, to enable the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to assess its clinical procedures associated with congenital, post-traumatic and tumour-related deformities in children
• George Foundation, which is working with Chinese health authorities to evaluate and address the rising incidence of stroke death, which claims more than one million lives in China each year
• Stepping Stone House, to provide ongoing assistance to homeless and distressed adolescents seeking crisis accommodation and support services
• Redkite, formerly known as the Malcolm Sargeant Cancer Fund, to assist the emotional support programs provided to families of children with cancer
• Diabetes Australia NSW, to produce a DVD/video to help schools manage Type 1 diabetes among pupils
• Petrea King Quest for Life Centre, to fund a quarterly newsletter for past participants of the centre, which provides education and support for people with cancer and other life-threatening illness
• University of Sydney Faculty of Law, to help construct a new building so the Law School, currently located on Phillip St in the CBD, can be moved back to the main campus

Macquarie Bank Foundation Chairman David Clarke said funding to several national bodies, such as Inspire Foundation and schizophrenia research organisation NISAD, would also benefit the NSW community.
“The Macquarie Bank Foundation has been committed to helping the communities in which we live and work for more than 35 years,” Mr Clarke said.

“We do not restrict ourselves to one or two areas but seek to address a wide range of community needs, whether it be furthering medical research, supporting disadvantaged youth, providing educational opportunities or cleaning up the environment."

“This approach is reflected in the broad variety of grants we have just approved.”

The Macquarie Bank Foundation currently contributes more than $4.5 million a year in grants to about 250 community organisations.

In addition, it actively supports Macquarie staff in their own community activities, by encouraging volunteer work and providing matching donations when staff undertake fundraising activities.

For more information please contact:

Karen Boalch
Communications Manager
Macquarie Bank Foundation
Tel: (612) 8232 7339