People everywhere rely on the support and assistance they receive from the many organisations dedicated to helping and improving the community. From assisting those who are seriously ill to helping keep Australia beautiful, the efforts of these organisations make an extraordinary difference to the lives of all Australians, as well as those in need around the world.
Qantas is a proud supporter of the following organisations:
World Youth Day 2008
Qantas is a major corporate partner and is the Official Airline of World Youth Day 2008.
As the next host of World Youth Day 2008 (WYD08), Sydney will welcome His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and play host to an anticipated 500,000 pilgrims throughout the week of 15-20 July 2008.
Held internationally every 2-3 years in a different host country, the World Youth Days have become the world's largest mobilisation of young people for a single event, regularly attracting the participation of more than one million young people.
World Youth Days build bridges of friendship and hope between people and cultures through their faith.
The event will also mark the first visit to Australia by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
Visit the World Youth Day 2008 website for more information.
Pilgrim fares and other great deals are available to book online from the United Kingdom and US/Canada. For departures from other countries contact Qantas Telephone Sales.
We would like to offer Pilgrim's travelling to World Youth Day 2008 the opportunity to utilise the Qantas carbon offset program. Fly with Qantas and you can choose to fly carbon neutral by offsetting your own share of flight emissions with a small contribution.
Australian of the Year Awards
Since 1960 the Australian of the Year Awards have recognised outstanding and inspirational Australians who inspire us through their achievements and contributions.
There are four award categories:
- Australian of the Year
- Senior Australian of the Year (60 years and over)
- Young Australian of the Year (16 to 25 years)
- Australia's Local Hero
The list of former recipients is a 'who's who' of Australian achievers including Fred Hollows, Pat Rafter, Sir Gustav Nossal, Fiona Stanley, Slim Dusty, Ian Thorpe and Khoa Do.
Qantas is the Official Airline for the Australian of the Year Awards program.
Brain Research Institute
The Brain Research Institute brings together scientists of international standing to tackle complex problems related to understanding the functioning of the human brain.
Success is measured by improved understanding of brain function, earlier and more accurate diagnosis of human brain disease and by the development of new and effective treatments for conditions including epilepsy, stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, sleep disorders, cerebral palsy and schizophrenia.
CanTeen - The Australian Organisation for Young People Living with Cancer
CanTeen is the Australian organisation for young people living with cancer. CanTeen's mission is to support, develop and empower young people living with cancer. We do this primarily by providing an Australia-wide peer support network for 12-24 year olds, including:
- patients - young people who have been diagnosed with cancer,
- siblings and offspring - young people who have an immediate family member who has been diagnosed with cancer, and
- bereaved siblings and offspring - young people who had an immediate family member who died from cancer.
We provide members with a place where they can simply be young people, away from the adult-dominated environment of cancer hospitals and treatment regimes.
Through a wide variety of camps and programs, CanTeen encourages members to share experiences and resources, promote understanding, well-being and leadership, and have fun!
The main event on the CanTeen calender is National Bandanna Day, which will be held on Friday 31 October 2008.
CARE Australia
CARE Australia is the largest non-political, non-religious overseas aid organisation in the country, providing humanitarian assistance across the globe. CARE Australia is part of CARE International, whose programs last year directly improved the lives of 45 million people. Tens of millions more benefited indirectly from their work.
In the battle to overcome poverty, CARE experiences small victories everyday. Whether teaching new farming techniques, training teachers or clearing landmines, CARE works hard to create a lasting solution.
What CARE can achieve today and in the future is very much in your hands.
Qantas has been a partner of CARE Australia since 1988.
Clean Up Australia
Clean Up Australia Day (CUAD) is the nation's largest community based environmental event. Hundreds of thousands of Australians help clean up their local environment each year and as a result, over 200,000 tonnes of waste have been removed from beaches, waterways, roadsides and parklands across the country since 1989.
Qantas has supported Clean Up Australia Day for 10 years.
View the TV commercial
Clean Up the World
Clean Up the World (CUW), established inconjuction with the United Nations Environment Programme in 1993, is the global extension of CUAD. The campaign mobilises over 35 million volunteers from more than 100 countries annually to clean up, fix up and conserve their local environment.
This year, CUW will focus on climate change and invite its community, business and government member organisations around the globe to conduct environmental activities to help address this important issue.
Foodbank Australia
Foodbank Australia is the largest non-profit, hunger relief charity in Australia, with warehouses in five capital cities and seven regional centres. Foodbank works in partnership with food industry manufacturers and producers such as Arnott's, Berri, Cadbury Schweppes, Coca-Cola, Coles, Goodman Fielder, Kellogg's, MasterFoods, Nestle, Simplot, Woolworths and many more. Foodbank distribute 6 million kilograms of donated and surplus food each year, to 1500 welfare agencies, which turn it into 7 million meals that feed 20,000 hungry Australians every day.
Qantas is a proud supporter of Foodbank Australia.
International Day of People with a Disability
International Day of People with a Disability on 3 December is an official day declared by the United Nations to celebrate the achievements of people with a disability. Qantas is proud to be a major sponsor of the International Day of People with a Disability for 2007. This year's theme, 'Decent work for persons with disabilities', recognises the rights of people with a disability to work and be employed on an equal basis with others, in an environment that is both accessible and welcoming.
The International Day of People with a Disability 2007 program of events is coordinated as part of the public awareness campaign, Don't DIS my ABILITY. For the fourth year running, the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) is promoting this campaign, recognising that people with a disability are major achievers and contributors in the community.
Mission Australia
Mission Australia is one of the country's leading charities and community service organisations, helping in excess of 200,000 disadvantaged people each year. Their programs are focussed on assisting those most in need in our community; people who may be homeless, suffering from mental illness or the long term unemployed.
With more than 280 targeted programs across metropolitan, rural and regional Australia, Mission Australia aims to empower disadvantaged and isolated individuals, families and whole communities, giving them the support they need to get back on track, and lead more fulfilling lives.
National Australia Day Council
Each year the country celebrates the special achievements and outstanding contributions made by individual Australians through the National Australia Day Council Awards. Recognising leading citizens who are role models for all Australians, the Awards provide inspiration through the achievements of the Australian, Young Australian and Senior Citizen of the Year.
Qantas has supported the National Australia Day Council Awards for more than 10 years.
National Breast Cancer Foundation
Leading the fight for improved prevention and treatment of breast cancer, The National Breast Cancer Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes and supports breast cancer research in all its forms.
In fact, the foundation allocates its fundraising towards breast cancer research spanning 70 different projects across Australia.
Major foundation events include Pink Ribbon Day, the Mothers Day Classic Fun Run and the Pink Ribbon Breakfast, which launches Breast Cancer Month in October every year.
Rugby in the Park
Following England's 2003 Rugby World Cup victory over Australia, an English benefactor left a $250,000 donation to help make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged Australian youth. The Rugby Youth Foundation was established, and a program called Rugby in the Park started.
Rugby in the Park aims to address the gap between in and out-of-school activities for youth in low-income communities through rugby. Using rugby as the tool to engage those who often can't be reached by traditional means, Rugby in the Park aims to develop young leaders and build community capacity through enhanced self-esteem, teamwork, communication and life skills.
In 2006 the program helped more than 500 children in some of the most disadvantaged urban and rural communities in NSW, such as Minto, Airds, Claymore and the Gordan Estate, Dubbo.
2007 is a huge year for rugby on the world stage, but more importantly, we can make a real difference to the lives of those closer to home. Qantas is a proud supporter of the Rugby in the Park program.
Starlight Children's Foundation
Living with illness or injury can cause enormous strain in the lives of children and their families. The pain, loneliness and isolation that sick children feel dominates their lives, and they often miss out on normal experiences that healthy children take for granted. Physical recovery is only part of the solution. Starlight delivers programs designed to make children happy and lift their spirits when they need it most.
Since 1988, Starlight has been providing services Australia-wide to help seriously ill and hospitalised children and their families. Starlight programs are delivered both in and out of hospital, providing positive distraction to children in their time of need. Programs include Captain Starlight, Starlight Express Rooms, Starlight Express Vans, Starlight Fun Centre, Starlight Wishgranting, Starlight Escapes, Livewire and Club Ado.
Each year there are over 600,000 child admissions made to hospitals across Australia. Today, Starlight can only reach one in three of these children. Our ultimate goal is to enable each and every child access to Starlight programs.
Starlight Day is the annual fundraising event for Starlight which occurs in May and volunteers from all over the country give up their time to help Starlight raise funds for seriously ill children. Qantas has been a sponsor of the Starlight Children's Foundation for more than 10 years and we are very proud of the contribution made by many Qantas staff who donate their time and energy to sell Starlight Day merchandise, as well as organising additional fundraising activities.
UNICEF
UNICEF Change for Good® encourages passengers on all domestic and international flights to donate spare foreign and local currency to UNICEF. The program involves Qantas staff from all levels of the organisation including flight attendants, ground crew and the management team. Qantas Chairman Margaret Jackson plays her role in the program as Patron of UNICEF Change for Good® in Australia.
The support of Qantas assists UNICEF to bring relief to thousands of children worldwide. This is done through projects that ensure the survival, health, education and protection of all children. Qantas responded quickly to the Tsunami on 26 December 2004 in Southeast Asia. The UNICEF Change for Good® program raised over $400,000 in January, which was specifically directed to Tsunami relief. In addition, Qantas supported UNICEF through additional staff fundraising, corporate donations, and other assistance valued at almost $400,000.
The Qantas and UNICEF Australia Change for Good® program reached the A$10 million dollar milestone in June 2004. This was a huge achievement for the partnership, which began in 1991.
World Vision Australia
World Vision Australia is part of an international partnership dedicated to improving the lives of children and communities living in poverty. As well as providing relief in emergency situations, World Vision works on long-term development projects that address the causes of poverty and help communities become more self-sufficient.
Money raised by World Vision goes to needy overseas communities in 56 countries, as well as projects in Australia, where it is used to improve the health, education and lives of Indigenous Australians.
Important events for World Vision Australia include the 40-Hour Famine, together with the Youth Study Tour, which enables young Australians to witness World Vision's lifesaving work overseas. Qantas has been the major sponsor of the Youth Study Tour for over 10 years.