Research Australia
Health & Medical Research Awards

2016 Great Australian Philanthropy Award

Congratulations to Award Winner: McCusker Charitable Foundation

For over 30 years, the McCusker family has regularly supported a wide range of charitable organisations, with a particular interest, in medical research. The family established the Sir James McCusker Training Foundation to provide training for those caring for people with Alzheimer’s and also funded the construction of the Lady McCusker Home providing accommodation and care for those suffering from dementia.  The McCusker Charitable Foundation has 4 Trustees: Malcolm, his sister Carolyn, his wife Tonya and his friend, Justice James Edelman.  The Foundation has donated more than $50 million dollars to charities and not-for-profit organisations with a primary focus on health and medical research. However, many arts, environment, youth development, aged care and education bodies have also been beneficiaries. The Foundation was responsible for establishing the McCusker Centre for Action on Alcohol and Youth and the McCusker Centre for Citizenship.  Organisations that have benefited from their philanthropy include the Lions Eye Institute, Ear Science Institute, Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Harry Perkins Institute, Telethon Kids Institute, and all Western Australian universities including Edith Cowan University, who nominated them for this award.

Malcolm James McCusker AC CVO QC has practised law for over 50 years. He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for his services to law (2005) and a Companion of the Order of Australia for his services to the community (2012). He was the WA ‘Australian of the Year’ in 2011. Malcolm has been patron of more than 100 organisations and is Chairman of the McCusker Charitable Foundation. He was awarded a Surf Lifesaving Bravery Award for the rescue of two people attacked by a shark in 1997. He was the Governor of Western Australia from 1 July, 2011 until 30 June, 2014.

Tonya McCusker AM is the Administrator and a Trustee of the McCusker Charitable Foundation working closely with more than 100 charities. She is a Trustee for Telethon and a board member with the Minderoo Foundation, Celebrate WA and the McCusker Centre for Citizenship. After an early career dancing in Monte Carlo, and then with the Australian Ballet Company, she completed a Law Degree, fundraising qualifications and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management.  She has worked in youth development, with the Chamber of Commerce and is passionate about medical research. Tonya is married to Malcolm and has 3 children.

Image Caption: Tonya and Malcolm McCusker