Page 2036 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 5 August 2014

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Our own city has been affected by this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers, in particular, go out to the family of Canberra mother Liliane Derden. I join my prayers with those of the church community to pray for all who have died. As is my faith practice, I pray that their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

I once again thank the Ukrainian church from my heart for organising this memorial, and I commend them for the short time frame in which they worked to organise this significant event.

Snow Foundation

MR COE (Ginninderra) (5.50): I rise tonight to speak about the good work of the Snow Foundation. The foundation was established in 1991 by Terry and George Snow as a vehicle to help those who are disadvantaged throughout Canberra and its neighbouring territories. Since its foundation the Snow Foundation has donated approximately $6.5 million to 190 different charitable organisations and individuals. This funding has been primarily directed at those who do not benefit from government support and has helped to purchase equipment for people with disabilities, provide educational scholarships to disadvantaged youth, buy wigs for those suffering from cancer and even supply kitchen utensils to those who are blind.

Last year the foundation provided over $1 million in funding. This money was shared between 62 organisations and 15 individuals and was focused on the areas of health, social welfare, education and employment. Of the 62 organisations which received funding, 26 had an existing funding relationship with the Snow Foundation, meaning that 36 organisations received new funding from the foundation.

Highlights of last year include: $300,000 to the Big Issue’s homes for homes project, which provides funds to increase the amount of affordable social housing; $25,000 to Snowy Hydro SouthCare to purchase an upgraded ventilator; and $70,000 to UnitingCare Kippax as part of an ongoing commitment over four years to help vulnerable families with children aged from birth to five years. I note also the ongoing support they provide to St John’s Care in Reid. I know Sue Jordan, who runs St John’s Care, very much appreciates their ongoing generosity.

Smaller donations last year included a $6,000 donation to help supply customised bikes to children and $5,000 donation to Communities@Work to start an introductory sailing program at the Canberra Yacht Club.

This year the foundation has already committed: $125,000 to Good360 Australia, an organisation which passes on excess corporate products like toys, computers and bedding to charities that provide these products to people who need them most; $33,000 to Cerebral Palsy ACT; and $25,000 to a juvenile justice mentoring program known as Shine for Kids. The Pinnacle Foundation, One Disease at a Time and Global Sisters have all been beneficiaries of the Snow Foundation this year.


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