Spirit of Community
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:
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.
CARE Australia
CARE is an international humanitarian aid organisation defending dignity and fighting global poverty. In 2010, CARE assisted more than 82 million people across 87 countries, through 905 poverty-fighting projects.
From over 60 years of experience, CARE has learnt that investing in women and girls is the most effective way to help communities overcome poverty. We know that when equipped with the proper resources, women and girls have the power to lift their families and entire communities out of poverty.
CARE's community-based programs focus on empowering women while working to improve a community's access to education, healthcare, clean water and sanitation, economic opportunity and the protection of their natural resources.
CARE is also globally recognised for delivering emergency aid to survivors of conflict and natural disasters.
Qantas has been a partner of CARE Australia since 1988.
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. The United Nations have chosen "Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all" as their theme for 2012 which aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
The New South Wales Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care celebrates this day during the months of November and December with the Don't DIS my ABILITY campaign. Events are held throughout metropolitan and regional areas of NSW. It's a time for people to celebrate the diversity and ability of people with a disability with the wider community.
Don't DIS my ABILITY is about changing misconceptions surrounding disability and creating an environment that encourages participation in careers, leisure pursuits and social activities.
Qantas has been a proud sponsor of Don't DIS my ABILITY since 2006 and was pleased to re-new this sponsorship in 2012.
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.
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) is the national body for prostate cancer in Australia. The PCFA plays a vital role in the fight against prostate cancer and devotes all of it resources towards reducing the impact of prostate cancer on the community by:
- Investing in world leading prostate cancer research,
- Raising awareness amongst government, health professionals and the Australian community, and
- Supporting men and their families affected by prostate cancer.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia and the second greatest cause of cancer deaths in men. The latest data shows that in 2010 almost 20,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Tragically more than 3,300 men died as a direct cause of prostate cancer.
Qantas is the airline partner of the 'Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing Program' and has painted a 737-800 aircraft with the PCFA logo to promote awareness of the disease. Qantas will fly nurses from cities and towns across the country to undertake training to become Australia's first specialist prostate cancer nurses.
Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children
The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) is one of Australia's oldest charities dedicated to providing the best education possible for children with significant hearing and/or vision impairment, and for children with additional disabilities.
For 150 years, RIDBC has been at the forefront of educating children who are deaf or blind so that they may achieve their full potential in life. Through their leading educational programs and early intervention services, RIDBC proudly helps children overcome the challenges associated with having impaired hearing or sight.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children. To help improve the lives of deaf and blind children Australia-wide, RIDBC relies heavily on community support and the generosity of supporters to maintain its intensive educational and research programs.
UNICEF
Thank you for 21 years of Change for Good
By placing foreign and local change in the Change for Good® envelopes provided on any of the 5,000 Qantas flights, Qantas passengers have raised an astounding $24 million - and had an enduring impact on the lives of the world's most vulnerable children and their communities.
Most recently, Qantas passengers have given children hope through the recent Pakistan floods, the Haiti earthquake and the ongoing food and refugee crises in East Africa. The Change for Good program also helps UNICEF deliver long term education, child protection, immunisation and HIV/AIDS programs to help children worldwide survive and thrive into adulthood.
"I am so proud, as we all should be, of Change for Good's tremendous impact on children's lives in its 21 years. It shows the possibility of a united belief - and that even the smallest contribution can help make a world of difference to children in need. " said UNICEF Chief Executive Norman Gillespie.
Qantas and UNICEF would like to thank you for transforming the lives of vulnerable children throughout the world.
