Andrew Forrest: Philanthropy name of game for mining mogul

Andrew Forrest has built an empire that underpins a $1.5bn commitment to philanthropic causes.

Mining magnate and philanthropist Andrew Forrest has been nominated for The Australian’s Australian of the Year. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Andrew Forrest has built an empire that underpins a $1.5bn commitment to philanthropic causes.

The self-made mining magnate relies on a portfolio of businesses, including oyster farms and the Global Rapid Rugby competition, to promote and support the work most important to him and his wife, Nicola.

Mr Forrest’s philanthropy and advocacy make him a worthy nominee for The Australian’s Australian of the Year.

The winner will be announced on Saturday.

The causes close to the Forrests’ hearts include projects that help indigenous people train for and find jobs, child health, the eradication of slavery and the state of our oceans.

The Forrests founded their charitable Minderoo Foundation in 2001. The foundation has made big gains promoting policies that set children up for success before they turn five. In 2017, its $400m given to causes such as cancer research was described by then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull as the single biggest philanthropic gift in Australian history. In all, Minderoo has committed $1.5bn to a range of initiatives.

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Its most recent donation was $70m in bushfire relief and prevention. Of that, $10m was to mobilise specialist volunteers, $10m for immediate bushfire relief and a $50m investment to support the development of a long-term blueprint for fire resilience.

We encourage our readers to put in a nomination for The Australian’s Australian of the Year, which was first won in 1971 by economist HC “Nugget” Coombs. Prominent Australians can be nominated by filling out the coupon above, or sending an email to [e-mail] or going to our website, theaustralian.com.au. Nominations close on Thursday, January 23.