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Recent and Upcoming Events
New Leadership for New Times
3 February 2010
SVA is fortunate to have access to a number of business and thought leaders through the SVA Leadership Council, an advisory group that provides SVA with input and guidance on strategic funding opportunities and networks.
One of the Leadership Council’s international members, Norman Drummond, was recently in Australia and with the support of Macquarie Group Foundation, SVA was able to take this opportunity to host an intimate cocktail reception for some key SVA supporters in Sydney.
Attendees at this event heard the thoughts of both Norman Drummond and Hugh Mackay, on why and how leadership must adapt to different times - a topic that was particularly relevant for the start of a new decade.
Hugh Mackay, prominent Australian social researcher and novelist, provided the audience with some insightful observations on the changing attitudes and behaviour of Australians as the Australian economy enters into the recovery phase, while Norman Drummond provided an international perspective, from his experience as a leading Scottish business consultant, executive coach and social entrepreneur.
Judging by the number of questions put to the speakers during the question and answer session chaired by SVA CEO Michael Traill, attendees found the session to be extremely thought provoking and worthwhile. SVA’s “Understanding Social Enterprises” Workshops
Brisbane – 2 March 2010
Workshop One - Understanding and running successful social enterprises
This workshop will provide participants with a solid understanding of what a social enterprise is, the different kinds of social enterprises and the process for establishing a social enterprise designed to deliver employment outcomes. This could include employment outcomes for people with a mental illness.
Workshop Two - How to apply for support and investment
This workshop will outline how SVA can support social enterprises located in Brisbane and the application process involved.
For more information on either of the above sessions, please contact:
Susan Black: sblack@socialventures.com.au.
SVA meets His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama
 | | | Paul and Lenore Robertson are introduced to His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama
Photo: Rusty Stewart |
In December 2009, His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama visited Australia to provide his gentle wisdom on the topic ‘Our Future, Who is Responsible’. SVA through its relationship with the Board of Dalai Lama in Australia, were privileged to be able to offer to a small group of key supporters in both Melbourne and Sydney, the rare opportunity to meet and dine with His Holiness.
Discussion at each event focused on the role of philanthropy in society and the associated responsibilities. For some years the Dalai Lama has engaged himself in the matter of the global economy and the challenge of how wealth can be distributed more fairly.
Each event was a once in a lifetime experience for attendees, as reflected in the comments of two of the attendees:
‘A rare insight into the world of a serene but involved leader, who displayed a cheerful, almost mischievous, outlook on life.’ - Paul Robertson
‘It was a privilege to meet His Holiness, The Dalai Lama. I was touched by his warmth and sincerity. His calm presence permeated the room and provided a timely reminder that it is essential to take time in our busy lives to contemplate the meaning of life, not just the day to day issues. He spoke of the importance of honesty and compassion, two very simple but sometimes elusive qualities. He also spoke of the need to teach ethics in our schools to promote a better world. My brief encounter with his wisdom and humour will continue to inspire me for many years to come.’ - Lenore Robertson
Indigenous-led Healing Foundation lays out growth plans
The Healing Foundation, an SVA supported Indigenous-led initiative, laid out its plans at a recent lunch with SVA investors in Sydney and at a Healing Symposium in Melbourne.
Greg Phillips, interim co-chair of Australia’s Indigenous Healing Foundation, and Dr Mike DeGagné, founding Executive Director of Canada’s Aboriginal Healing Foundation, spoke at both events.
Established in early 2009, the Healing Foundation is designed to increase the health and well-being of Indigenous people through the development of best practice localised healing programs.
SVA has provided funding for the Foundation to begin the evaluation of local healing models and explore interest in the national practitioner roundtable.
Dr Mike DeGagné was in Australia to lend his support to the Foundation’s establishment. Canada’s Aboriginal Healing Foundation is a national Aboriginal organisation dedicated to addressing the legacy of the Indian Residential School System and is responsible for distributing a $515m fund to compensate Indigenous Canadians for experiences similar to that of the Stolen Generations.
Understanding and Running Successful Social Enterprises Workshop
The Australian Government has recently made the second and final call for proposals under the Local Jobs and Get Communities Working streams of the Jobs Fund.
SVA, Social Traders and Jobs Australia are running a series of workshops in Brisbane, Parramatta, Melbourne and Adelaide over the coming weeks aimed at providing participants with a solid understanding of what social enterprise is and the process for establishing a social enterprise designed to deliver training and employment.
Specifically the workshops will examine: the different types of social enterprise; how to set up a social enterprise; how to successfully submit a proposal for the Jobs Fund; and how to write a business plan for a social enterprise.
The dates for each workshop are:
Brisbane: 19 November
Melbourne: 24 November
Western Sydney: 27 November
For more information on each of the above sessions, please contact:
Brisbane: Andrew Hamilton ahamilton@socialventures.com.au
Parramatta: Ruth Johnstone rjohnstone@socialventures.com.au
Melbourne: Nicci Hutchinson Nicci.Hutchinson@socialtraders.com.au
‘Strut the streets’ with AIME
12 November 2009
The inaugural ‘Strut the Streets’ event will be held in Sydney on 12 November, to raise funds for SVA venture partner, Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME).
AIME works with Indigenous high school students in Years 7-12 to improve their life prospects by instilling the aspiration and sharing the skills needed to encourage them to attend school, continue their education and raise their levels of attainment. The program uses a unique style of structured educational mentoring to link university students in a one-on-one relationship with Indigenous high school students. AIME’s objectives are to increase Year 10 and Year 12 completion rates and university admission rates for all Indigenous students that participate in the program.
It costs AIME $2000 a year to support one Indigenous student through school. By participating in the ‘Strut the Streets’ event or simply be sponsoring a participant, you’ll be providing AIME with much needed funds that will enable AIME to replicate their simple model across Australia.
Help close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous education outcomes as well as create a pool of university-ready Indigenous candidates by visiting www.strutthestreets.com.
Social Enterprise World Forum
Melbourne 6-8 October 2009
The Social Enterprise World Forum, co-hosted by Social Ventures Australia and Social Traders, took place in Melbourne from 6-8 October 2009.
The purpose of the Forum was to support the emerging Australian social enterprise movement and showcase successful enterprises and raise the profile of social enterprise around the world.
It was the first event of this kind in the region and built on the success of the inaugural SEWF, which took place in Scotland in September 2008.
The sold out event brought together over 520 delegates and presenters from Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the UK, Europe, South America, Africa and North America.
 | | | Uraine Mastrosaveros, Minister Peter Batchelor, Jan Owen AM, David Brookes, Aunty Joy Wandin Murphy, Michael Traill and Maurial Rose Spearim at the SEWF 2009 opening ceremony
Photo: Fiona Basile |
Angel Investor Network Forum
Sydney 10 September 2009
The topic for the third Sydney Angel Investor Network Forum was ‘Strategic perspectives from non-profit leaders.’ Narelle Hooper, editor of AFR Boss, facilitated the panel discussion with the panel comprising Elaine Henry, CEO, The Smith Family; Jennifer Bott, Chief Executive, UNSW Foundation; and Kim McConville, Executive Director, Beyond Empathy.
As always the session triggered a thought provoking discussion, on this occasion around the importance of accountability and transparency and the need to create partnerships between non-profit organisation and their funders.
Angel Investor Network Forum
Melbourne 1 September 2009
The topic for the second Melbourne Angel Investor Network Forum was ‘Overview of the philanthropic landscape.’
Guests were treated to a jam-packed agenda, with firstly Gina Anderson, CEO of Philanthropy Australia, highlighting the important role women have played in the history of philanthropy in Australia.
Jan Owen AM, Executive Director of SVA, then facilitated a panel discussion with Carol Schwartz AM, Trawalla Foundation and Teresa Zolnierkiewicz, Head of Philanthropy – ANZ Trustees, providing some real life examples of women in the sector. Carol talked extensively about her experiences working in the community, while Teresa spoke to the important role she is playing in affecting change within the corporate sector.
Finally Scott Harris, CEO of Beacon Foundation, provided guests with an update on the important work being undertaken at SVA venture partner, Beacon Foundation. Successful Beacon programs are now being replicated throughout Australia, demonstrating the important role their programs are playing in terms of influencing the attitudes and culture of Australians so that young people develop an independent will to achieve personal success for themselves and their community.
An evening with Hugh Mackay
25 August 2009
SVA is very fortunate to have regular access to the insights of Hugh Mackay through Hugh's involvement with our National Leadership Council. At this event held in August, SVA supporters were provided with an opportunity to hear Hugh's thoughts on how the Global Financial Crisis has affected the attitudes and behaviours of Australians. Guests also heard from two of Australia's leading social entrepreneurs and SVA venture partners, Jack Manning Bancroft from Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) and Nick Toonen from Home Hospice.
 | | | Hugh Mackay discusses the impact of the Global Financial Crisis on the Australian community with SVA CEO, Michael Traill.
Photo: Jessica Pace |
AIME National Launch
4 August 2009
In 2005 Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) was established with the goal of increasing Year 10 and 12 completion rates and university admission rates of Indigenous Australian high school students. To achieve this, AIME uses a unique style of structured educational mentoring to link university students in a one-on-one relationship with participating students and is now operating across five university campuses in NSW.
Already over 500 Indigenous high school students receive mentoring from AIME and on 4 August 2009 AIME announced its intention to expand the program nationally.
At the national launch event, generously hosted by the Macquarie Foundation, AIME’s Jack Manning Bancroft and Paul Sinclair gave guests a taste of the kind of interactive program participants experience. Guests also heard from one of AIME’s Directors, Geoff Lovell from Macquarie Group, as well as AIME Patron-in-Chief, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of NSW.
A number of high profile guests also lent their support to the event including Ian Thorpe, Andrew Denton, Jenny Brockie and Jeff McMullen.
Posing the simple question of ‘Will you walk with us?’ AIME CEO Jack Manning Bancroft presented guests with the opportunity to be involved in a program that is making a real difference to the lives of Indigenous Australian high school students. To find out how you can get involved, simply email info@socialventures.com.au.
 | | | AIME CEO Jack Manning Bancroft exchanges stories with respected journalist, documentary maker and host of SBS TV’s Insight program, Jenny Brockie.
Photo: Stephen Antonopolous |
Home Hospice Annual Conference
27-28 November 2009 – register now
Many Australians facing death express a desire to die at home. HOME Hospice was established to provide a voice for these people, their carers and their personal community and family, friends and neighbours at the time when they need access to support and knowledge.
At the HOME Hospice annual conference to be held in Sydney on 27 and 28 November 2009, attendees will be given the rare opportunity to focus on the emotional and human aspects of death and dying. Attendees will be encouraged to participate in conversations about community, spirituality and the significance of dying at home.
For those unable to attend the full conference, you are welcome to attend the wine and cheese evening on the first night of the conference, featuring New Zealand based Irish documentary maker and palliative care specialist Dr Sinead Donnelly speaking about and screening her moving documentary "Going Home". The screening is at 6 pm on Friday 27 November.
For more information or to register visit: http://www.homehospice.com.au/programs/index.cfm?loadref=60
ACT Social Enterprise Hub Launch
30 June 2009
The ACT Social Enterprise Hub, a partnership between Social Ventures Australia (SVA), PricewaterhouseCoopers, The Snow Foundation, Mental Health Community Coalition, ACT Health and the Department of Housing and Community Services ACT, was launched by ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope in Canberra on 30 June 2009.
Designed to assist the development and accelerate the growth of social enterprises in the ACT, the Social Enterprise Hub will equip social entrepreneurs, existing enterprises and community organisations with the appropriate tool set to create and sustain their businesses with a social objective.
Over 100 people from across the nation’s capital attended the launch. They heard from one of the first ACT Hub participants, Robert Pedvin, talk passionately talk about his social enterprise Paperworks, which will provide people from marginalised backgrounds with the opportunity to become artisans and earn a living from their work in the Paperworks studio.
Saba Abraham, founder of the Mu'ooz Eritrean restaurant in Brisbane, and a member of the Brisbane Social Enterprise Hub, captured the hearts and minds of the audience with her mesmerising story of the business she founded to train and employ refugee African women, which currently employs 20 women from a refugee background. ‘How’, she said, ‘could we take money from the country which had welcomed and accepted us? Of course we had to work. It is our way to look after ourselves, but also to give back and contribute to Australia.’
SVA, together with various partners, launched the first Social Enterprise Hub in Queensland in 2006. To date this Hub has delivered impressive results to the community, assisting over 40 social enterprises. In the previous financial year the Queensland Hub provided intensive support to 12 enterprises, resulting in 72 new jobs. Three-quarters of these were for people who had previously been long term unemployed. Based on the success of the model in Queensland, a second Social Enterprise Hub was launched in Parramatta in 2007.  | | 
| | | | | ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope speaks at the ACT Social Enterprise Hub launch.
Photo: Mel Hill Photography | | (left to right) Jan Owen AM, executive director of SVA stands with Saba Abraham, founder of Mu’ooz Eritrean restaurant, as she shares the success story of her Queensland-based social enterprise.
Photo: Mel Hill Photography |
SchoolAid Kids’ Desk Drive Launch
30 June 2009
On Tuesday 30 June SVA venture partner, SchoolAid, launched The Kids' Desk Drive in association with Australia for UNHCR (The UN Refugee Agency). This inspiring new 'kids helping kids initiative' will empower students from across Australia to reach out and unite to make a difference in the lives of Congolese refugee children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) while experiencing and learning about the power of giving.
The appeal was launched by The Kids' Desk Drive ambassador and Australia for UNHCR Special Representative - Mark Schwarzer OAM, SchoolAid Founder - Sean Gordon, and former refugee - Aminatah Conteh. The appeal will run for three months with the aim to help provide 5,000 desks for the 110 classrooms currently being rehabilitated by the UNHCR in the South Kivu region of the DRC.
 | | | | (left to right) SchoolAid Founder Sean Gordon, former refugee Aminatah Conteh and UNHCR Special Representative Mark Schwarzer OAM speak at the SchoolAid Kids’ Desk Drive launch. |
Showcasing Sustainable Change in Indigenous Communities
3 & 10 June 2009
In early June, in both Sydney and Melbourne, SVA brought together Indigenous thought leaders with business leaders and philanthropists at a boardroom lunch series, generously supported by the Goldman Sachs JBWere Foundation. The event provided SVA Indigenous Investor Circle supporters with an insight into some of the pressing issues for Indigenous communities and showcased inspiring social programs that are working. Both events were kindly hosted by GSJBW co-CEO, Stephen Fitzgerald. In Sydney, Dr Jackie Huggins, Adjunct Professor at University of Queensland, addressed guests on the current situation in Indigenous affairs, stressing the importance of community led intervention and the need for leadership within the young Indigenous generation. Then Jason Glanville, newly appointed as first CEO of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, was joined in a panel with SVA venture partner CEO Adrian Appo from Ganbina and Leah Armstrong, CEO of the SVA-supported social enterprise Yarnteen to talk about the work each is doing in the sector, as well as the important factors each see as the necessary next steps. In Melbourne, guests heard from keynote speaker Jodie Sizer, SED Consulting, after which she was joined on a panel by Jack Manning Bancroft, CEO of SVA venture partner, Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) and Leah Armstrong. The panel discussed some of the main issues facing Indigenous communities in education, governance and economic development and offered their own personal perspectives and experiences on ways of effectively tackling each of them.
Samson & Delilah Preview Screening
30 April 2009
On 30 April 2009, SVA hosted a preview screening of the film Samson & Delilah in Sydney and Melbourne as part of the SVA Indigenous Investor Circle program for 2009. Written and directed by Indigenous filmmaker Warwick Thornton, Samson & Delilah is a powerful love story that touches on the many issues Indigenous people in remote communities face.
Following the Sydney screening, SVA's investors heard from Margaret Flynn, CEO Centacare Wilcannia-Forbes and Jason Glanville, Director of Programs and Strategy, Reconciliation Australia and from Adrian Appo, CEO Ganbina in Melbourne. They each discussed the issues presented in the film as well as the possible solutions they seek through their work.
Critically acclaimed in the media, David and Margaret from the ABC's Movie Show both gave Samson & Delilah five stars, while Jim Schembri from The Age wrote,‘In a nutshell Samson & Delilah is unarguably the most confronting and important film about Indigenous issues yet made in this country’.
Selected for Un Certain Regard at Cannes, Samson & Delilah received a five minute standing ovation following its screening and on 24 May, Warwick Thorton won the Camera d’Or, awarded to a first time director for the best debut feature film at the festival.
SVA is thankful to Footprint films for giving our investors the opportunity to experience the film prior to its release.
 | | | The official poster for the award winning Australian movie, Samson & Delilah
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School for Social Entrepreneurs Australia Launch
1 April 2009
One of SVA's major Partnership projects of the past 12 months, the incubation of the School for Social Entrepreneurs Australia, was officially launched at the State Library in Sydney on 1 April 2009.
The goal of SSE Australia is to assist social entrepreneurs in transforming their talent and drive into real social outcomes. The School’s programs will enable social entrepreneurs to establish effective, sustainable community projects and initiatives that meet social and community needs.
The School’s first cohort of 18 students for 2009 come from all walks of life and backgrounds including Sudanese refugees, young people, community development workers, PhDs and business people in previous lives. The projects they have brought to the School are equally diverse - chai tea enterprises from India and Africa, a healthy eating and weight loss enterprise, a girls school in Sudan, men's sheds, arts projects and young people's enterprise development to name a few.
The students will learn using a unique and deeply practical 'action learning' methodology which is delivered by a team of highly skilled practitioners, subject matter experts, tutors and mentors.
The School's establishment has been supported financially by the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation and the Westpac Foundation.
For more information about the SSE and its first group of cohorts visit the SSE website at www.sse.org.au. First Angel Investor Network Forum 2009 takes place in Sydney
17 March 2009
The first Sydney Angel Investor Network Forum - Practical Insights into the Australian Social Sector - was held on Thursday 17 March. Jan Owen, SVA executive director, presented to the group on the indicators and recurring characteristics that are found in areas of high social disadvantage and the need for collaborative intervention across all these indicators to create lasting social change.
Three leading figures in philanthropy in Australia, Carol Schwartz, chair of Our Community, Kerry Graham, CEO of Inspire Foundation and Fiona Higgins, manager of the Fairfax family office, shared some of their philanthropic experiences in a panel session format. Kerry Graham discussed her involvement in the Social Inclusion Board and provided insight into Government's current key areas of social focus, Carol Schwartz talked about her experience with Our Community and also the importance of collaboration, while Fiona Higgins provided her thoughts about what to look for when supporting a non-profit organisation, as well as examples of the questions to ask an organisation before making a social investment.
The next AIN Forum in Sydney will be held on Thursday 18 June and will provide a look at the broader Australian philanthropic landscape and include case studies from two inspiring women philanthropists.
Click here for more information about AIN. SVA Indigenous Roundtable - School to Work Transitions
27 & 28 November 2008
The third SVA Indigenous Roundtable was held in Melbourne on 27 & 28 November 2008, bringing together organisations and thought leaders from all over Australia who are actively engaged on school to work transitions for Indigenous young people. The purpose of the forum is to build a network of programs and organisations working in the area, as well as to support program sharing, collaboration and best practice amongst the group. The roundtable also provides development opportunities for the next generation of Indigenous leaders.
Supported by the AMP Foundation, some of the organisations participating in the roundtable series include Ganbina Koori Economic Employment & Training Agency, Cape York Institute, Dare to Lead, Beacon Foundation, Trinity College (Melbourne University), Midland Indigenous Project, St Joseph’s Indigenous Education Fund, Yarnteen ATSI Corporation, Goolarri Media Enterprises, Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association, The Foundation for Young Australians, Jobs Australia, Indigenous Enterprise Partnerships, Wunan Foundation, Australian Education Union, Centacare, Clontarf Foundation and Desert Knowledge.
Special guest presenter Dr Manuka Henare, Mâori elder and Associate Dean Mâori & Pacific Development, University of Auckland Business School provided an overview of Mâori responses to social dislocation and disadvantage as well as the long term aspirations of Mâori for their people and their country. He also shared some interesting insights about the opportunities for Indigenous peoples throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including the notion of the expanding Indigenous market place and how local solutions can actually be enhanced by globalisation.
Speaking over dinner to roundtable participants and SVA investors, Dr Henare encouraged philanthropists to back innovative programs, saying ‘I think philanthropists can afford to say, 'No, we're not going to fund the same, we want to fund the difference.’’
 | | | SVA Indigenous Roundtable participants
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SVA Strategic Giving Lunch
Featuring Kingsley Aikins, Chief Executive of the Worldwide Ireland Funds
28 October 2008
In this changing economic climate, it is more important than ever for funders to be strategic in their giving, and for non-profit organisations to be direct and focused in their fundraising.
Kingsley Aikins, who has helped to raise over a quarter of a billion dollars for the Ireland Funds, brought his unique international insights to the issues of both giving and fundraising in tough times to a packed room of invited guests in Melbourne on 28 October 2008.
The landscape of philanthropy is changing, argued Mr Aikins, with individuals poised to make the difference. In the US, 84 per cent of the funds that drive the non-profit sector come from individuals and this trend is being echoed in Australia, where the value of Prescribed Private Funds (PPFs) have increased by $117 million in the past year alone to $1.5 billion.
Fundraising trends to watch include the widespread use of technology, the increasing numbers of women investors, the changing attitudes of baby boomers towards philanthropy and the general move of funders towards organisations that offer engagement, measurability and scalability.
 | | | Global philanthropy expert Kingsley Aikins presents his thoughts on philanthopy in changing times.
Photo: Fiona Basile |
 | | | Carol Schwartz listens to Kingsley Aikins speak at the SVA Strategic Giving Lunch.
Photo: Fiona Basile |
Addictions and Healing: Appropriate Public Policy Responses
23 September 2008
Greg Phillips, a Waanyi and Jaru medical anthropologist at The University of Melbourne, community healing worker and author of 'Addictions and Healing in Aboriginal Country', gave a presentation to the SVA Indigenous Investor Circle on Indigenous healing and appropriate public policy responses. Greg provided context to and reasons behind the problems found in some Indigenous communities today. The presentation was based on Greg’s own experience working with a remote north Queensland community, where intergenerational trauma was one of the significant causes of the dysfunction he found there. Greg outlined his pragmatic approach to finding solutions to help communities to move from dysfunction and violence to growth and vitality and highlighted significant progress made in the area of Indigenous healing in other countries, including Canada, the USA and New Zealand. Healing, according to Greg, is a crucial part of governance and he advocates the establishment of a Healing Foundation which would, amongst other things, fund healing programs which address cultural renewal, therapeutic change and addictions recovery.
Social Enterprise World Forum
2 – 5 September 2008, Edinburgh Scotland
SVA was proud to be an Event Partner of the inaugural Social Enterprise World Forum held in Edinburgh Scotland.
The Social Enterprise World Forum examined the conditions needed for social enterprises to thrive, highlighting outstanding examples of innovation and best practice from around the world. Participants engaged with representatives of governments that are actively supporting and promoting social enterprise and analysed the challenges of changing world and local markets. Social enterprises and support agencies emerged with shared actions to improve sustainability and increase social and economic impact.
The Forum was the first international gathering of practitioners and support agencies dealing exclusively with social enterprise and brought together social enterprise leaders and champions from all continents to collaborate, share best practice and plan future developments. This collaboration raised awareness of social enterprise as an expanding global mechanism for social change and explored the merit of ongoing collaboration for key stakeholders.
To learn more about the World Forum, visit the CEiS web site.Brisbane Hub Accelerator Program Launch
16 July 2008
The Brisbane Hub launched its third annual Accelerator Program in July, which will help seven social enterprises grow their businesses and create greater employment opportunities for marginalised people.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman launched the program at Brisbane City Hall, with a group of over 70 people in attendance representing business, community and government.
This year’s Brisbane Hub’s Accelerator Program participants are:
• Mu’ooz, an Eritrean Women’s restaurant and catering company
• Justice Products, a retailer in fair trade products
• Food Connect, a fresh food delivery service
• Nundah Community Enterprise Co-operative, which runs Expresso Train, a café and catering service at Nundah as well as a parks maintenance business
• Black Star, a fair trade coffee roastery and café bar
• Sustainable Gardening Service, a gardening and landscaping service, and
• Red Cross Business Services, a mailing and packaging services The Brisbane Hub, a partnership between Social Ventures Australia, Brisbane City Council and PricewaterhouseCoopers, is the first of its kind in Australia.
For more information about Social Enterprise Hubs, visit www.socialenterprisehubs.org  | | | Brisbane's Lord Mayor, Campbell Newman with SVA Executive Director, Jan Owen AM,
Accelerator participants and Hub staff. |
SVA Indigenous Investor Circle Special Event Presented by the Martu People
12 June 2008
SVA and Gilbert + Tobin were recently privileged to host an event with a delegation of Martu people and Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa, an organisation which works to protect, retain and strengthen Martu culture. Hailing from the Pilbara region of Western Australia, the group were in Sydney at the end of their ‘Culture Matters’ speaking tour of Canberra.
Presented by Martu people Muuki Taylor, Dawn Oates, Anthony Gibbs and Desmond Taylor, with Sue Townsend and Peter Johnson from Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa, the afternoon session explored culture as a prism through which Martu people view the world and which powerfully informs their choices, decisions and actions. Feedback was excellent, with attendees saying that they took home a meaningful insight to the Martu people, their society and why programs must be based on an understanding of their culture and what is important to them in order to succeed.
You can learn more about the Martu in the book 'Cleared Out', which covers the first contact a group of Martu people had with European Australians in the 1960s. Please visit the AIATSIS website for more information.
SVA Consulting Launch
29 April 2008
The Macquarie Group Foundation hosted the official launch of its partnership with SVA Consulting at a cocktail event in Sydney.
The evening featured several interesting speakers, including Jon Huggett from the Bridgespan Group. Founded in 2000 and incubated at Bain & Company, Bridgespan is an American non-profit organisation that brings leading-edge strategies and tools to the challenges and opportunities facing non-profit organisations and foundations. Jon joined Bridgespan in 2005 as a partner in the San Francisco office and in 2007 helped establish the New York office, where he is currently located.
Bridgespan is a powerful example of how specialised consulting services can help build stronger and more effective non-profit and philanthropic organisations. Macquarie Group Chairman David S. Clarke AO, SVA Chief Executive Michael Traill and Head of SVA Consulting Duncan Peppercorn addressed how SVA Consulting has built on Bridgespan's lead to create a strategy consultancy for the Australian non-profit sector.
Additionally, Graham Long, CEO of the Wayside Chapel, spoke about how his organisation has already benefited from working with SVA Consulting. Click here to read a case study about Wayside’s experience.
The Macquarie Group Foundation hosted a similar event in Melbourne on 1 May 2008.
 Learn more about SVA Consulting
 | | | | (left to right) John Huggett, Duncan Peppercorn, David S. Clarke AO, Michael Traill and Graham Long, speakers at the Sydney launch of SVA Consulting on 29 April 2008. |
SVA Indigenous Investor Circle Launch
19 March 2008
In late 2007, SVA hosted a series of business leader lunch briefings on Indigenous issues in Sydney and Melbourne. Featured panellists at these informing events included:
• Professor Mick Dodson, Professor of Law, ANU
• Romlie Mokak, CEO, Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association
• Gregory Phillips, medical anthropologist and educator
• Megan Davis, Director, Indigenous Law Centre
Building on the success of these briefings, SVA launched the Indigenous Investor Circle at a lunch in Sydney in March. Featured speakers included Lt Gen (Retd) John Sanderson AC, Special Adviser to the Western Australian Government on Enhanced Aboriginal Participation in the Social and Economic Development of the State, and Megan Davies, Director of the Indigenous Law Centre and Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of New South Wales.
Guests not only listened to sustainable solutions to the unacceptable levels of Indigenous disadvantage in our country from these experts, but they were also given the opportunity to ask tough questions and learn more about how they can get involved in making a difference.
Goldman Sachs JBWere and SVA hosted a similar launch in Melbourne on 6 May. Featured speakers included Rex Wild QC, co-author of the ‘Little Children are Sacred’ report and Gregory Phillips, medical anthropologist.
For further information on this initiative please download our Indigenous Investor Circle brochure.
 | | | | SVA Executive Director Jan Owen and Lt Gen (Retd) John Sanderson AC answer guests’ questions at the Sydney launch of the Indigenous Investor Circle initiative on 19 March 2008. |
Launch of ‘Good Times and Philanthropy: Giving by Australia’s Affluent’ Report
10 March 2008
In a report recently commissioned by the Petre Foundation, researchers from the Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies (CPNS) found that the personal wealth of Australia’s affluent has grown at a vastly faster rate than their charitable giving.
SVA hosted an information-packed launch of the report to give guests the unique opportunity to hear why philanthropist Daniel Petre AO commissioned the report; the facts on Australia’s giving levels compared to our overseas counterparts; and how non-profit organisations can tap into the current environment of unprecedented wealth.
Speakers included Senior Research Fellows Dr Kym Madden and Dr Wendy Scaife, Netus Executive Chairman Daniel Petre AO and SVA Chief Executive Michael Traill.
SVA hosted a similar event in Melbourne the following day.
To learn more about this research report and read related media coverage, click here.
 | | | | (left to right) Dr Kym Madden, Dr Wendy Scaife and Daniel Petre AO, speakers at the launch of ‘Good times and Philanthropy: Giving by Australia’s Affluent’ |
SVA's 2nd annual Taking Care of Business conference
This practical learning conference offering interactive sessions specifically designed for chief executives, financial officers, treasurers and program managers of non-profit organisations was held in March 2008.
Click here for further information about the conference
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