QLD’s Top Philanthropists Awarded
20 June 2013 at 3:16 pm
Queensland’s top philanthropists have been honoured at the annual Philanthropist Awards in Brisbane including a posthumous award for a young Sunshine Coast school boy.
The recipients were recognised for their constant commitment to giving, having raised thousands of dollars across a number of areas including health, education, sport and the environment.
Bichel has a goal of reaching $1m in grant funding for the community by December 2013. She has written more than 100 grant applications since 2005 and been successful with 70, raising $850,000 for arts, community, education and business.Community Philanthropist Award recipient Ann Bichel was recognised for her continuous efforts in “making things happen” in the Lockyer Valley region.
Bichel says she has been an active volunteer most of her life and is currently active in 10 community groups.
Bichel said she initially wondered if she was the right person for the award.
“I really was a bit speechless,” she said.
“After I got over the shock, I was truly honoured and proud to be the recipient of this award. I looked up previous winners, and thought I’m not in that league – but nice for someone to have nominated me.
“Like so many other volunteers, we do our work for our children/family and making our community a great place to live.”
In 2011, Ann was awarded the Lockyer Valley Regional Council Citizen of the Year for her community work.
Caboolture teen and wildlife warrior, Tegan Lather won the Junior Philanthropist Award.
The 13-year-old has been an Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Joey Ambassador for the past two years, and has already raised more than $40,000 for the charity’s major project, the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.
Tegan has made it her goal to raise more than $100,000 for wildlife conservation before finishing year 12. She is also an active fundraiser for a number of drives and fundraising activities in her local community.
Sunshine Coast schoolboy Adem Crosby was awarded the Young Philanthropist Award for his philanthropic support which he started when he was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in early 2011. Grateful for the free accommodation in Brisbane and other support services provided by the Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland (LFQ) whilst undergoing treatment, Adem wanted to do something to give back.
Adem garnered an army of supporters on the Sunshine Coast known as Team Adem, which has raised more than $250,000 for the Foundation.
LFQ and the Red Cross Blood Services are the two major beneficiaries of Adem’s philanthropy which has contributed 40,745 nights of free accommodation to patients and their families; advice and counselling; eight patient transport vehicles assisting 7,609 patients and travelling 157,526 kms; and financial assistance to patients totalling $209,753.
Adem lost his battle with Leukaemia on May 4, 2013. His family accepted the award on his behalf.
His father, Brent Cosby said: “We are all very humbled that Adem and Team Adem have been recognised for their efforts over the last three years.
“Adem was a truly remarkable young man, thinking of others even though experiencing so much adversity himself. It was always about giving back and helping others.
“No matter how sick Adem became, if he could help someone, he would.”
Padua College won the Corporate Philanthropist of the Year in the community category.
Abacus ALS received the Corporate Philanthropist of the Year i the business category.
Recipients of the Junior, Young and Community Philanthropist Awards were presented with $2,000 to donate to the charity of their choice.
Queensland Philanthropy Week 2013 is organised by the Queensland Community Foundation (QCF), a state-based and focused trust fund with 185 charitable sub-funds including more than 90 well-known charities under its umbrella. QCF encourages giving to perpetual funds to ensure a sustainable income stream for Queensland’s non-profits.
Award winners:
? Junior Philanthropist of the Year- Tegan Lather
? Young Philanthropist of the Year- Adem Crosby
? Community Philanthropist of the Year- Ann Bichel
? Corporate Philanthropist of the Year (Community)- Padua College
? Corporate Philanthropist of the Year (Business)- Abacus ALS
