The Great Australian Philanthropy Award was awarded to Mr Andrew Forrest AO and Mrs Nicola Forrest for their leadership in giving with impact and offering examples of good practice to encourage further social giving.
This follows their work through the Minderoo Foundation and the announcement in May of one of the Australia’s largest private donations totalling $400m. This includes $75 million dollars specifically earmarked for the Eliminate Cancer Initiative with funding to be used as planning capital to unite, encourage and reward the global cancer industry to collaborate and coordinate their efforts and specialise their focus to accelerate research, development, clinical trials and cancer care delivery.
The Health and Medical Research Awards now in their 15th year recognises Australia’s most inspiring health and medical researchers, advocates, and philanthropists.
Presenting the Award, Health Minister Greg Hunt said advocacy and philanthropy are critical to finding solutions to some of society’s greatest health challenges.
“Philanthropy in health and medical research can often be the difference between hope and happening. These additional resources provide that much-needed boost to researchers searching for the often-elusive cures and treatments, that for many patients can enable a disease-free, quality life.
“Recognising and celebrating the examples and generosity of philanthropy is key to ensuring that we can focus as much energy as possible to find lasting solutions to our social problems because no one government or organisation can do it alone, “I congratulate Andrew and Nicola on this wonderful act of generosity,” Minister Hunt said.
Research Australia CEO Nadia Levin said, “The generosity of philanthropy has such a profound impact for those who benefit the most – the patients who more than anything need not only hope but action as well, “Research Australia’s Philanthropy Award recognises and encourages personal philanthropy that is outstanding in its generosity, effectiveness, and transformative quality and the organisation has, for the past 15 years, celebrated and acknowledged the generosity of those who have made significant difference to Australian Health and Medical research through their actions.
“Andrew and Nicola very much deserve this award, Research Australia was thrilled to be able to showcase their philanthropic work,” Ms Levin said.
At the time of the May announcement, Andrew Forrest AO said he wanted to ‘encourage more Australians to give – not just their money, but of their time, energy and other resources that can make a difference in addressing some of the society’s most complex challenges.’
Accepting the Research Australia Great Philanthropy Award on the night, on behalf of Mr and Mrs Forrest, Professor Peter Leedman at Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research said, “Andrew and Nicola have been researching every possible way they can improve health and medical research in our country to make the largest difference … and they are delighted they are in a position to do so and hope they are encouraging future philanthropy for research in Australia.”
Media Contacts:
Wendy McWilliam, Strategic Communications Manager, Research Australia – 0413 598 857
Jannette Cotterell, The Minderoo Foundation – 0473 333 302
