Queensland’s biggest philanthropists awarded

A mining magnate, a doctor and the ‘bionic man’ have taken out Queensland’s biggest philanthropy awards. SEE THE WINNERS

The most generous people in Queensland have been awarded at the Queensland Community Foundation’s Philanthropy awards.

Gina Rinehart and Dr Patrick Corrigan are among the winners with a man from Townsville who survived multiple transplants who raised over $245,000 for a number of different foundations.

Damien Thompson has faced leukaemia, a double lung transplant and double hip replacements. He is now in training for the Transplant Games and a documentary is being made about his life called Bionic Man. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

Ms Rinehart won the QCF Outstanding Achievement award which Olympic legend Dawn Fraser accepted on her behalf.

QCF General Manager Tara Castle said she is so impressed with all nominees and the depth of commitment they have made to philanthropic work.

“The Philanthropy Awards are an acknowledgment of the exceptional contributions of so many people and organisations in Queensland. Even though they’re not looking for recognition, we want to promote their dedication and achievements to encourage others to also give their time and money to worthy causes,” Ms Castle said.

“We think the nominees are all winners.”

One of those nominees is 18-year-old Max Shearer, who while fighting cancer has raised over $145,000 for a number of charities.

Another is a butcher, Billy Gibney, who supports local and major charities as well as donating money to 22 schools multiple times a year.

Max Shearer with Dr Ian Fraser, Max has directly raised over $100,000 for a number of charities.

The ceremony took place at a sold-out lunch at Brisbane City Hall on Friday at 12L30pm.

WINNERS

The Community Philanthropist of the Year

Dr Patrick Corrigan has contributed over 650 artworks to Bond University and helped raise over $2.8 million for indigenous scholarships through his patronage of the Bond Indigenous Gala.

Dr. Patrick Corrigan Honorary Cocktails, Bond University. Dr. Patrick Corrigan has donated over 80 indigenous Australian artworks to the university. Reporter: Ben Dillaway.

Emerging Philanthropist of the Year

Townsville’s Damien Thompson survived a bone-marrow transplant, graft-versus-host disease and a double lung transplant, he has been an active campaigner for organ donation and has raised an estimated $245,000 for QIMR Berghofer, the Leukaemia Foundation, the Sony You Can Youth Centre, Ronald McDonald House, the Australian Red Cross and Transplant Australia.

Innovative Philanthropist of the Year.

Logan’s Tony Sharp began refurbishing PCs and laptops with Substation33 and has built and delivered more than 2,500 digital devices to children in need in the greater Logan area, during the pandemic.

Corporate Philanthropist of the Year

McCullough Robertson encourages staff to give their time and expertise through a variety of pro bono programs, which the firm values at $1M per year. It’s also donated more than $500,000 for QUT scholarships for indigenous and financially disadvantaged students, and contributed $250,000 in scholarships to UQ in 2014. In 2020 the firm provided cash support of over $200,000 to charities including Anglicare, Australian Drought Relief, Cystic Fibrosis, Guide Dogs Australia, Queensland Legacy and more.

SME Philanthropist of the Year

Loans.com.au has donated approximately $300,000 to a variety of charitable groups in the past decade, and this year has instigated a new scholarship at QUT – the 2021 Female Budding Entrepreneur Scholarship, worth $24,000.

Outstanding Achievement Award

Mrs Rinehart currently supports a large number of medical, educational, health and community organisations ranging from $6 million for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in 2020, to up to $10 million every year to the key Olympic sports of swimming, rowing and volleyball.

Elijah Winnington, Ariarne Titmus, Gina Rinehart, Abbey Harkin and Mitch Larkin pictured at St Peters Swimming Pool, Gina was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award. (Image/Josh Woning)