Connection

UNLOCKING OUR COMMUNITY POTENTIAL

Contents 3

CEO’s introduction

4

Grant Thornton Foundation Chair introduction

6

Cambodia: 135 leaders, 10 families, one cause

8

Its not about the money

9

The Grant Thornton Foundation; participating; volunteering, mentoring

10

Foundation partners

12

State by state, mate by mate, Grant Thornton gives back

13

Adelaide

14

Brisbane

16

Cairns

17

Melbourne

18

Perth

20

Sydney

21

Looking forward

22

Appendix 1

2 Unlocking our community potential

CEO’s Introduction

AT GRANT THORNTON AUSTRALIA LTD (GRANT THORNTON) WE EMPOWER OUR PEOPLE TO HELP UNLOCK OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES’ POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH.

Over the past 12 months, Grant Thornton people have made a difference to communities across Australia, from assembling birthing kits in Adelaide for the Birthing Kit Foundation to delivering Christmas gifts for Brisbane Youth Services. We’ve made a difference overseas too: in March, Grant Thornton Australia and the Grant Thornton Foundation jointly pledged a total of $50,000 to World Vision’s Cyclone Pam appeal. The impetus for these activities is to make a tangible difference. Indeed, empowering our people to do so is a core value at Grant Thornton.

Three factors drive our social responsibility program: our pro bono work, which all our people are encouraged to undertake annually; our workplace giving (facilitated by our people opting in to payroll deductions towards our nominated charities) and The Grant Thornton Foundation, launched in October 2014. The Grant Thornton Foundation coordinates charitable giving across Australia. Its vision – to deliver tangible benefit to our community partners through our people and to help our charity partners grow – is already coming to fruition through our current focus on Growing Youth. This publication brings together many of our people’s achievements, of which we’re so proud, and seeks to reinforce our commitment to making a difference outside our own organisation. Greg Keith CEO Grant Thornton Australia

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Grant Thornton Foundation Chair introduction

DESPITE BEING LESS THAN A YEAR OLD, THE GRANT THORNTON FOUNDATION IS ALREADY MAKING A DIFFERENCE TO PEOPLE’S LIVES.

Establishing the Foundation signalled clearly Grant Thornton’s deep commitment to contributing, in a sustained and significant way, to the community. Working very much on the basis that together we can achieve far more than we can individually, the Foundation is funded by a combination of payroll giving from our people and fundraising initiatives, supported by an annual grant from Grant Thornton. With the average age of Grant Thornton’s personnel being just 25, it’s perhaps not surprising that the board of the Foundation decided to focus on the theme of ‘growing youth.’ Our people were asked to identify relevant local, national and international charities aligned with this theme which could be supported, not just monetarily, but through giving our time and expertise. Each office selected up to three local charity partners to support in a variety of different ways, with sixty per cent of all

4 Unlocking our community potential

funds raised by the national Foundation going directly to the local Grant Thornton offices for this purpose. The Foundation board then selected one national and one international charity partner where board members felt the Foundation could make a long-term, tangible difference by distributing the remaining 40% of funds and offering additional support from the Grant Thornton team. (The Foundation has no administrative costs or overheads.) After a careful review of many great ideas, a much-needed schools program in Vanuatu with World Vision was selected, along with an innovative e-mentoring program with Australian charity Big Brothers Big Sisters as our first international and national three-year projects.

World Vision In March, Cyclone Pam changed our plans, but in doing so gave the Foundation the chance to make an immediate difference to the people of Vanuatu with a relief donation of $50,000 through World Vision. Sadly it also meant that the schools teaching support program that was to be our focus in Vanuatu had to be shelved, with every school in Vanuatu either destroyed or severely damaged. But as the needs of the people of Vanuatu have changed, so have Foundation plans and I was fortunate to visit Vanuatu in September with World Vision to identify projects where we can make a difference. Through World Vision, the Foundation is now working with the amazing Wan Smol Bag youth outreach centre in Port Vila to make a real difference to the lives of the Ni Vanuatu.

Big Brothers Big Sisters The Foundation Board allocated an initial sum of $30,000 to the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) organisation’s new e-mentoring program, a face-to-face mentoring scheme in Brisbane where the charity has identified a need to increase its presence and meet the needs of more young people. The BBBS program is far more about participation than dollars – a Grant Thornton Big Brother or Big Sister will work with a carefully matched young person over a 12 month period building a bond that will benefit the growth of both individuals: the mentor and the mentored. It’s a serious time commitment from the volunteers who recognise that building the trust necessary to make a real difference takes genuine commitment. Such relationships can’t be picked up and put down at will and we are proud that our people will get the chance to make a difference in such a tangible, personal way. Even after just nine months of operation, the Foundation’s primary objective of ‘growing youth’ is being met – locally, nationally and internationally – and the Foundation looks forward to next year with excitement. Together we can make a difference. Paul Billingham Managing Partner – Financial Advisory Grant Thornton Foundation Australia Chair Grant Thornton Australia

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CAMBODIA: 135 LEADERS, 10 FAMILIES, ONE CAUSE “THE BEST RELATIONSHIPS ARE BUILT ON SHARED EXPERIENCE AND TRUST. THIS EXPERIENCE WILL DEEPEN THE SENSE OF TRUE PARTNERSHIP ACROSS THE PRACTICE.” GREG KEITH CEO GRANT THORNTON AUSTRALIA

ON 20 JULY 2015, 135 PARTNERS FROM GRANT THORNTON AUSTRALIA, TOGETHER WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AUSTRALIA, GATHERED IN PHNOM PENH TO BUILD HOMES FOR DISADVANTAGED FAMILIES.

To create the future we must understand the past.

Over the next five days, as they exchanged the comfort and familiarity of air-conditioned offices for the heat and humidity of the Phnom Penh slums, they pushed themselves, physically and emotionally, for a greater cause – building basic homes for 10 needy families. They learned to work to each other’s strengths, were humbled and charmed by the children and experienced the power of pulling together – collaboration at its best.

Visiting one of the killing fields, now a memorial site named Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre, they absorbed stories from the violent regime and the reason behind the killings, which helped strengthen their understanding of how Cambodia is today.

Along the way, they connected with the country, its history, the families involved and their aspirations. Understanding their hopes and dreams, they found themselves delivering more than they thought they could, but also, gaining more than they ever expected. This enriching experience lives on in the lives of all who participated, with people better equipped to deal with the challenge of the coming year.

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Before the build, partners gained a deeper understanding of the people and their history, in particular, the Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970’s, a dark moment in the country’s history that left deep scars on the population.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum was also taken in; where over 20,000 prisoners were routinely tortured. “As we walked through buildings wrapped in barbed wire, we listened to stories of unimaginable suffering. And we were fortunate to meet a survivor, Chum Mey, who now teaches future generations about the past so that it won’t be forgotten,” said one participant.

Not just building houses – building homes The weather was scorching hot and the humidity was suffocating. Yet no one complained. They were there on a mission – to build family homes for people more disadvantaged than many had ever imagined. People worked to their strengths. Some were great at carrying heavy loads; some were great at laying bricks and rendering the walls, while others excelled at mixing cement with sand. How did our group of former desk jockeys handle it? Julie Smith, a new partner in the Brisbane Private Advisory team, said it well: “The power of the team was amazing, just to watch how we all pulled together and looked out for one another. I really enjoyed getting to know everyone and there was simply no better way to do so.” Our people met families who had had their lives transformed by the gift of homes similar to the ones they were building. One lady, Leap, told the group how owning a home had changed her life. In three short years she had saved enough to open a cricket farm and make her living selling crickets. She had even bought an adjacent plot of land to expand her business. The thought occurred to many that if Leap could manage to be entrepreneurial with such limited resources, so could they! A great inspiration from the humblest of backgrounds.

Another, a lady who had lived in a tiny tin shed for ten years, said she couldn’t afford the rent elsewhere and that the only way her children could go to school was for her family to eat fewer meals a day. Walking around the slums where the build was located and seeing the reality of these peoples’ lives – with no sewers, no clean water and no electricity – connected people emotionally to the cause and the building efforts were redoubled. Midday, 24 July 2015 saw the build finished. One hundred and thirty-five Grant Thornton leaders, together with the families, had laid bricks, mixed cement, rendered walls and attached rooftops. But all the sweat, aching muscles and tired bodies were nothing compared to the experience, and many felt they had received much more than they had given. To learn more about the build or how you can make a difference, contact Habitat for Humanity Australia by visiting http://habitat.org.au/About-Us/ Contact-Us.

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IT’S NOT ABOUT THE MONEY – OUR PRO BONO WORK PRO BONO WORK AT GRANT THORNTON IS INTEGRAL TO OUR CULTURE, AND EVERYBODY IS ENCOURAGED TO SPEND ONE DAY A YEAR UNDERTAKING VOLUNTEER WORK THEY FEEL PASSIONATE ABOUT. MANY DO SO, OFTEN GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND THE SIMPLE ONE DAY FORMULA, WITH CONTINUING WORK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

Some volunteer ongoing time and expertise as office bearers to charities and Not for Profits (NFPs), while others use the day to participate in our Foundation Partners’ wider activities. Initiatives are undertaken by offices, teams and individuals, who all ‘get’ the feel good factor of community engagement: the virtuous circle created by feeling good through doing good. Our most ambitious project to date has been our 2015 Partners Conference in Cambodia. Meanwhile, here’s a brief out-take of just three of the great pro bono initiatives firm-wide.

Whitelion As well as being Grant Thornton Melbourne and Sydney’s local Foundation Partner, we’re committed to supporting Whitelion with our time and skills where need exists within their organisation. In May this took the form of three of our people from Grant Thornton Melbourne assisting with a range of bookkeeping, ATO compliance and general finance matters at a time of need. Due to the sudden departure of a key finance staff member, the team at Whitelion were in dire need of assistance and it was great to see our people step up. Whitelion’s major fundraiser, the annual May Bail-Out, was a popular event with both the Melbourne and Sydney offices. Grant Thornton Bailout teams were incarcerated overnight, at Yasmar Facility, a former Juvenile Detention Centre in Sydney’s inner west, and the atmospheric Old Melbourne Gaol for the Melbourne ‘felons’.

Inmate 2347, Chris Karkanis, doing Grant Thornton Melbourne proud.

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The teams were stripped of all possessions, fingerprinted, photographed and subjected to interrogation, yet still managed to raise in excess of $18,000, a monumental effort.

Yalari Yalari is a Not for Profit organisation offering secondary education scholarships at leading Australian boarding schools for Indigenous children from regional, rural and remote communities. Yalari believes education is the key to generational change and a brighter future, and is deeply committed to the ongoing success of their national program of scholarships and post-school opportunities. Grant Thornton Brisbane provides pro bono audit services to Yalari; while Grant Thornton Sydney is currently investigating a workplace giving option for this popular cause.

Wandering Warriors The Department of Defence and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs take the lead in caring for wounded and injured Australian Defence Force personnel, but a gap remains, inevitably, when federal entitlements, grants, programs and funding run out. Many stakeholder organisations within Australia step into this breach, attending to the needs of physically wounded and psychologically impacted veterans and their families. These organisations add an extra dimension to the care of our soldiers and their families; however, they themselves require continued funding to do their work. Wandering Warriors is a charity dedicated to raising funds to help meet that ongoing need. Grant Thornton provides pro bono audit services to the Wandering Warriors and the firm became shirt sponsors for the Wandering Warriors Brisbane to Canberra Trek.

Audie Moldre from Wandering Warriors offers former PM, Tony Abbot, a Grant Thornton sponsored Trek shirt, with fellow Wandering Warriors looking on.

The Grant Thornton Foundation: participating; volunteering; mentoring NOVEMBER 2014 SAW GRANT THORNTON OFFICES LAUNCH THE GRANT THORNTON FOUNDATION AROUND AUSTRALIA.

The Foundation’s vision – to deliver tangible benefits to our community partners through our people’s participation – is already bearing fruit, with the help of our national and local Charity Partners, selected because of their commitment to our current focus, growing youth. The Foundation’s guiding principles are participation, volunteering and mentoring. Key Foundation and Guest Partners helped inaugurate Sydney activities.

Seen above are, from left to right are Grace Michel; Bhavesh Narsey; Sharne Tucker, YWCA; YWCA NSW CEO the Hon. Anna Bligh; Grant Thornton CEO, Greg Keith; Co-President Josephine Sukkar, YWCA; Denise Cheng, YWCA; Nikki Slater, YWCA; Grant Thornton Partner, Alison Sheridan; Himaja Paramatmani and Scott Chapman.

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FOUNDATION PARTNERS

NATIONALLY, OUR GRANT THORNTON FOUNDATION PARTNERS ARE WORLD VISION (INTERNATIONALLY) AND BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AUSTRALIA, FOR WORK WITHIN AUSTRALIA.

World Vision The Melbourne office had the pleasure of launching our national Foundation partner, World Vision, with Australian CEO Tim Costello. Tim spoke of the lottery of latitude, where the relative quality of life that people experience around the world can largely be attributed to where they are born. Tim talked of there being more to life than the next promotion or personal achievement, and, as relatively privileged individuals regarding income and quality of life, we have a responsibility to give back to the community. To recognise the great work that World Vision do around the globe, Melbourne office Managing Partner Michael Pittendrigh presented Tim with a cheque for $20,000, for World Vision projects in Vanuatu which the Grant Thornton Foundation supports. One such example of the lottery of latitude occurred all too soon after Tim’s speech, in March 2015, when one of the worst tropical cyclones to hit the Pacific devastated Vanuatu. World Vision, working closely with the Government of Vanuatu’s National Disaster Management Office, ensured help was directed to where it was needed most. Jointly, the Grant Thornton Foundation and Grant Thornton Australia pledged $50,000 to World Vision’s Cyclone Pam appeal. Grant Thornton Melbourne also donated vacant office space to World Vision (left over from the lease of the former Spring Street Melbourne office) to accommodate Tim Costello and his head office team. The office space has been provided for eight months at a value of over $130,000, saving World Vision people considerable time commuting, as well as money that will help fund their vital work. Looking forward, the Foundation is entering into an exciting initiative with the Wan Smol Bag (WSB) organisation in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Here the Foundation supports the work of WSB through World Vision projects such as re-equipping the technology space which is so popular with Ni Vanuatu youth. Managing Partner, Melbourne, Mike Pittendrigh presents World Vision’s Australian CEO Tim Costello with our cheque for $20,000.

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It doesn’t take much to make a big difference...

Big brothers Big sisters of Australia Big Brothers Big Sisters helps young people facing serious adversity – particularly those who have little opportunity to develop positive and supportive relationships with adults. What would it be like if every child could unlock their potential? What could that start? Big Brothers Big Sisters goal is that every young person who needs a mentor has a mentor, while their mission is to realise the potential of all young people through the provision of the highest quality mentoring programs. On Facebook, a Big Brother explains. “George’s mum’s not around, which is hard on any young person. He also has a lot of anger and behaviour issues that he’s dealing with … but over time he’s opened up a lot more and relaxed a lot more. He also won Student of the Week recently, which is great encouragement to keep going and to keep making those changes. George’s principal emailed me recently letting me know that she has seen some great changes in George and him becoming a happier person.”

Inspiring every child to fulfil their potential – that could start something big! Grant Thornton is embarking on a national e-mentoring program with Big Brothers Big Sisters which we hope will forge meaningful relationships between our staff and the valuable young people across Australia referred to Big Brothers Big Sisters. “Each time we pair a child with a mentor we start something incredible – a life-changing relationship built on friendship, trust, guidance and empowerment.”

“IT’S EVERYBODY’S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THESE YOUNG ADULTS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN BECOME VALUABLE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND NOT JUST ANOTHER STATISTIC.” SENIOR SERGEANT KATE CHAMBERLAIN, WANGARATTA

It doesn’t take much to make a big difference. George’s principal says: “The Big Brothers Big Sisters program is extremely important in Wangaratta. We’ve seen some really positive changes in behaviour of some of the students in the program – attending school more regularly; being able to work more cooperatively with other students in the school yard without encountering issues of bullying; that sort of thing.”

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STATE BY STATE, MATE BY MATE, GRANT THORNTON GIVES BACK IT’S PERHAPS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL THE GRANT THORNTON FOUNDATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE MOST, WORKING WITH AND FOR WORTHY CAUSES SELECTED BY OUR PEOPLE AS MAKING A DIFFERENCE TO THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE LIVE. BUT IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT THE FOUNDATION. OUR PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO CHOOSE WHAT THEY WANT TO SUPPORT – HERE’S A TASTE OF WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND THE COUNTRY.

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ADELAIDE Grant Thornton Adelaide’s two Foundation charities are the Childhood Cancer Association and Junction Australia. The Adelaide office raised over $4000 for these two brilliant causes over the year, conquering Adelaide Oval’s 6,000 steps in the inaugural Stadium Stomp; buying and eating much chocolate in the Easter raffle; supporting the Junction Australia Quiz Night (a major fundraiser) and stepping out at the Grant Thornton Australia mid-year ball (proceeds from this last event were split evenly between the two charities). The Adelaide Foundation launch hosted the Birthing Kit Foundation of Australia, a Not for Profit organisation improving conditions for women who give birth at home in developing countries (an estimated 385,000 women die annually from preventable infections acquired during childbirth). Willing volunteers assembled 400 birthing kits, comprising a simple six items that help save the lives of women and babies in Third World countries: a plastic sheet, soap and a sterile scalpel blade, plus gloves, gauze squares and cords. The Childhood Cancer Association The Childhood Cancer Association is South Australia's key childhood cancer support organisation, dedicated to supporting children living with cancer and their families. Receiving no government funding, the charity relies solely on philanthropic donations and grants from local organisations. The Association’s Elliot Bears (below) were also purchased as gifts for babies born to Adelaide team members during the year, with every cent of the proceeds directly supporting children living with cancer and their families.

Junction Australia Junction Australia provides quality information, accommodation and support services to socially or economically disadvantaged people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. With other community agencies and individuals they work to overcome barriers, develop resilience and enhance community connectedness. Adelaide’s Welcome Pack Drive collected essential items provided to homeless youth on entering Junction Australia accommodation. Donations throughout the year, from the Junction Quiz Night, the Mid-Year Ball, the Junction Australia Business Networking Breakfast and the Welcome Pack Drive were just shy of $2,300.

More information about Adelaide’s great work can be found in Appendix 1.

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BRISBANE Brisbane gives back…

Brisbane Youth Service Brisbane launched their Grant Thornton Foundation with help from Foundation Partner Brisbane Youth Service (BYS). (Youngcare and the Youth Housing Project are Brisbane’s other Foundation Partners.) The incorporated association assists young people aged 12–25 to find and maintain appropriate housing, address physical and mental health issues and establish successful relationships and support networks in inner-city Brisbane. BYS CEO Annemaree Callander and Fundraising Manager Lisa Rayner were guests of honour at the launch. BYS’s Daggy Jumper Day is their main fundraiser and Brisbane hosted a firm-wide event and raffle that raised over $1,700. The Foundation also provided $500 worth of travel cards to BYS, part of their Get Schmick and Go campaign that assembles personal items, toiletries and non-perishable foods for young people in supported accommodation. The travel cards – ‘gocards’ – are invaluable to young people without an income, allowing them to travel to crucial appointments and job interviews.

Caption: Holly Millman models her daggy jumper

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Youngcare Thirty-three year old Shevaune Conry had the degenerative disease multiple sclerosis. Cared for by devoted husband David, Shevaune’s condition deteriorated to the point where she needed 24-hour care. Shocked to find no support available at any level for situations like this, David and three mates vowed to change the system. Youngcare is the result of their passion and drive. Its mission is to help younger people avoid admissions to aged care “… right now. We also aim to develop viable and replicable models to solve the problem once and for all, giving young people with high care needs the choice in care and accommodation they deserve,” says Youngcare’s Mission Statement With events ranging from the Simpson Desert Challenge (a 300km trek through the Simpson Desert) to the Budgie Bolt (not your average fun run, the six kilometre South Bank dash saw budgie smuggler-clad runners cover the distance in record time), the indefatigable Brisbane office raised $3,000 for Youngcare. Special mentions go to Rebecca Ratcliffe, Matt Tierney, Carol Francisco and Scott Pardey who volunteered as event marshals at the Bolt. Youth Housing Project The third of Brisbane’s Charity Partners is the Youth Housing Project (YHP) a community organisation that provides medium-term supported housing for young people aged 16 to 20 who are homeless or at risk of being so. YHP helps teach the life skills necessary to transition back to independent living. In March Brisbane collected essential items to go in Home Starter packs for disadvantaged youths. Special thanks to Sam Pape and Mary Dunmore for purchasing the packs.

… and keeps busy

Throughout the year the Brisbane office also dug deep to support other organisations as well as their Foundation partners. Their campaigns included the Children’s Medical Research Institute’s Jeans for Genes Day, which raised $495; providing meeting rooms for two Pro Bono clients, the Wandering Warriors and the Child Protection Practitioners Association of Queensland. Trek shirts were donated to the Mater Hospital’s Inca Trek in April 2014, which raised over $300,000 in total for prostate cancer research. Among many other stellar efforts were: • Nicole Baxter, Matt Bell, Matt Brown, Jodi Carroll, Mary Dunmore, Scott Pardey and Andrew Smith participated in the 100km cycle ‘Brissie to the Bay’ in June, to help raise awareness and funds for one of our clients, Multiple Sclerosis Australia. • Andrew Smith (pictured above) raising over $7,000 for the Women’s Legal Service and their event ‘Dancing with the CEOs’. WLS is a Not for Profit company providing free legal advice and welfare to women and children who experience domestic violence. • Brisbane also supported the training of Thomas and Otto, two Seeing Eye dogs from the Child Protection Practitioners Association of Queensland, while others donated their time and money to the Women’s Legal Service and World Vision. For yet more Brisbane activities see Appendix 1.

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CAIRNS The Streets Movement Jesse Martin lives his creed: “Be the change you want to see.” When his father told him he hadn’t done anything worthwhile so he couldn’t complain, Jesse, then 18, experienced a lightbulb moment and The Streets Movement was born. The Streets helps steer at-risk youth and others towards a better life, providing refuge and a sense of belonging in their community facility at Bentley Park, South Cairns. While an initial Federal Government grant seeded their beginning, The Streets is now entirely supported by community donations. Selecting The Streets Movement as their Charity Partner, the Grant Thornton Cairns Foundation donated training equipment worth $950. They were given an informationpacked talk by inspirational founder Jesse, followed by a site tour, taking in the boxing ring, a small recording studio, a dance studio and fitness training area. Jesse Martin’s passion to give back by helping others has become a place for those who see themselves as disenfranchised − to grow through keeping fit and being able to enjoy being part of a community of like-minded, non-judgemental people For more details on Cairns Foundation activities see Appendix 1.

Cairns – more good work • In addition to supporting The Streets Movement, the Cairns office also raised over $4000 for other local charities during FY15. (Details of all the organisations can be found in Appendix 1.) These were: • Gindaja Treatment and Healing Centre, a 19-bed hostel catering for men and women with drug and alcohol related problems. The centre offers a holistic approach to the treatment and recovery of individuals with ongoing support and care. • Jeans for Genes is the iconic fundraising campaign of the Children’s Medical Research Institute. Each year, Australians unite by wearing their favourite jeans and donating money or purchasing merchandise to support research into children’s genetic diseases. • Send Hope not Flowers – Carpenter Barry Kirby’s life turned upside down when he passed a young woman dying on a bush road in PNG. The Australian tradie became a doctor with a mission: to save women’s lives in Papua New Guinea. For this truly remarkable story see below. • Team Couch Triathlon COUCH is an Action Group formed by a Cairns couple after they learned that local cancer patients had to travel to Townsville or Brisbane for treatment, a long and painful journey. They achieved their goal – radiation oncology facilities for Cairns – in 2009, and are still powering on. • The Far North Queensland Cerebral Palsy Support Group is a group of passionate parents of children with cerebral palsy, plus friends and relatives. Formed to improve the services and opportunities available to families affected by cerebral palsy living in Cairns and Far North Queensland, the Group has also reached out to families with children that have physical disabilities other than cerebral palsy. • Whitelion – mentioned elsewhere in this document and with contact details in Appendix 1.

“The headlights picked up a dark shape on the edge of the track. Barry Kirby slammed his car into reverse and discovered a young woman, dangerously ill. “She sort of just looked at me and smiled. She had the most beautiful smile.” - Barry Kirby The hospital couldn’t help. By morning the woman was dead. It was 25 years ago, but Kirby still chokes up at the memory of the fleeting encounter that transformed his life. Kirby was 40. He tossed in his job as a freewheeling carpenter in the PNG highlands and spent the next decade studying to become a doctor. His quest now is to save the lives of women in the remotest parts of PNG, one of the most dangerous places for women to give birth. In PNG the lifetime risk of dying is childbirth is about one in 30; in Australia it’s one in 10,000.” ABC Four Corners, viewed 22 October 2015, http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2015/s4313116.htm

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MELBOURNE The young people Whitelion works with are among the most disadvantaged in our community, often escaping highly dysfunctional families and sexual, drug or alcohol abuse. Established over 16 years ago, the charity opens doors to opportunities, positive relationships and community connections for at-risk youth, with mentoring programs, education and employment. The Melbourne Foundation was launched with chosen Charity Partner, Whitelion. An office presentation detailed some of the great work carried out in the local community, assisting young people caught in the juvenile justice system and how our people could get involved to make a difference to their lives.

In March 2015 Office Managing Partner, Mike Pittendrigh, was invited to travel with Tim Costello and a group of eight other business leaders to Israel. The trip focused on ‘Leading in conflict situations’, giving those attending the opportunity to meet the World Vision team members working with in the conflict zone on the Israeli-Palestinian border. During the trip Mike met people from both sides of the conflict and discussed leadership, diversity and relationship building with the other business leaders he travelled with. Indelibly impacted by the experience, Mike’s trip further strengthened our relationship with World Vision, who are both a large Not for Profit audit client and our national Foundation partner. For more Melbourne activities see Appendix 1.

Melbourne people also participated in Whitelion’s Bail Out, the major fundraiser for the charity. Twenty people raised a massive $18,000, getting themselves locked up in the Old Melbourne Gaol. The event aims to gives participants an immersive experience of the juvenile justice system, similar to the real thing. While caseworkers and Whitelion graduates gave blunt accounts of their personal experiences and the need for such services, Audit Partner Eric Passaris and Audit Graduate Chris Karkanis were the star participants, spending a night with the ghosts and the guards in the atmospheric jail. Other fundraisers included the Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea, with the hotly-contested Baker of the Year title taken out by Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake; and the Australian Red Cross’s Blood Drive. With one in three people needing a blood transfusion during their life, but only one in thirty contributing regularly, this charity is a truly worthy recipient. Giving more – Melbourne’s other activities In late November 2014 Grant Thornton Melbourne’s vacation students took a day away from the keyboard to spend a volunteer day with Maysar, an Aboriginal youth-focused organisation. Recently merged with Whitelion, Maysar’s large facility in inner-Melbourne Fitzroy was in desperate need of some TLC. The students picked up their paintbrushes and pulled out the brooms to help with whatever needed to be done around the building, saving the organisation a costly clean-up bill.

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PERTH The Perth Foundation chose Manna Inc. and Kids are Kids! as their Charity Partners. Manna Inc. Beginning with a simple pot of homemade soup in 1996, Manna has become one of the leading volunteer-driven charities in Western Australia, serving the homeless and the vulnerable. In December 2014 the Perth office helped Manna Inc. with their Christmas Hamper collections and donated $2000 worth of food to the homeless. They also collected toiletries and assembled personal care packages for Manna to distribute and assisted with a government grant application that resulted in a successful outcome. And the annual Grant Thornton Race Day in March raised over $500 in donated winnings for both Manna and Kids are Kids!

Kids Are Kids! Kids are Kids! is dedicated to transforming children’s lives through therapy and family support. Fundraising activities throughout the year included the ‘Think Fragile X Kids Are Kids!’ gala dinner in March 2015. The Grant Thornton Foundation, as a major sponsor, presented the charity with a donation of $10,000. The $160,000 raised in total for the event will assist in building a dedicated sensory wing at Kids are Kids’ early intervention therapy centre in Bateman, a south Perth suburb. The Kids Are Kids! Family Paella Picnic was also enthusiastically supported by our people, who supervised the jumping castle, photo booth and stalls and had a great time with the kids As well as offering financial support, the Perth Foundation is proud to provide pro bono financial advisory services, public relations assistance and partner representation to the Kids Are Kids! finance committee.

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Perth pulls together for some great causes Pro bono accounting and audit services are also provided to the Make a Difference Foundation WA, which aims to raise significant funds to help disadvantaged youth. In addition, Private Advisory Partner, Gail Curtis, is a board member and Treasurer of Zonta House Women’s Refuge, while Kim Hayman is a member of the Rocky Bay Disability Services Finance Committee. Kim is also a Partner in our Private Advisory Perth office. Perth people raised a wonderful $9,500 in total, which included proceeds from the sausage sizzle for Movember, the leading global organisation committed to changing the face of men’s health; while a ‘Bikes for Tykes’ day saw a number of bikes assembled for some very happy kids from both Manna and Kids are Kids!. A number of Perth people also took part in the Oxfam Trail Walk and hiked an incredible 100km in under 48 hours. International Women’s Day in March 2015 saw Perth host a high tea with Rabia Siddique as the guest speaker. Rabia’s experiences as a former war crimes prosecutor, international humanitarian, retired British Army officer, hostage survivor and mother have given her valuable insights on how to make the most of our lives and businesses. Rabia is a passionate advocate for human rights and education and diversity in their widest sense. Monies from the well-attended event were donated to Ishar Multicultural Women's Health Centre, Zonta House Women's Refuge and The Hunger Project. More of Perth’s individual and pro bono work can also be found in Appendix 1.

1. Sue Goss from Manna Inc., Jane Barker, Kids Are Kids! and Gail Curtis, Grant Thornton Partner at the launch.

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2. Mauri Muccicciaro, Kate Magee, Liam Kubicek and his girlfriend Lauren Stokes. 3. Vishal Kanji and his mo! 4. Gail Curtis, Rabbia Siddiqui and Matt Donnelly.

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Unlocking our community potential 19

SYDNEY YWCA YWCA NSW supports vulnerable people across New South Wales at times in their lives when they need it most, regardless of their age, religion or gender. They help individuals, families and whole communities develop behaviours and skills to become strong and self-reliant. YWCA NSW is part of the global YWCA network, one of the world’s largest non-government organisations actively working in 132 countries. Sydney launched their local Grant Thornton Foundation in November 2014 with a presentation by CEO, Greg Keith; Partner, Alison Sheridan and YWCA CEO, Anna Bligh. Greg Keith presented our key Foundation Partner with an inaugural donation of $5000.

Sydney digs deep In July this year, the Sydney People and Culture team (pictured below) used their annual volunteer day to help out at St Lucy’s School which provides an education of excellence for children with disabilities. The day was spent clearing the grounds and ensuring a safe and tidy environment for the students to enjoy outdoors. Like Cairns, Sydney embraced Movember, the leading global organisation committed to changing the face of men’s health. A number of events were held in November, including several – very successful – bake-offs. The Sydney office managed to raise the highest amount within the Grant Thornton team, not only in Australia but globally, a truly impressive $18,966. (Go, you good things!) Remembrance Day, 11 November saw commemorative poppies sold, symbolically honouring and commemorating all Australians who have died as a result of war, but particularly those Australians who fell in the First World War. Further details of Sydney’s individual and pro bono work are located in Appendix 1.

YWCA’s tag line, ‘Find your possible’, is very much in tune with the Grant Thornton Australia ethos: helping dynamic organisations and our people unlock their potential for growth. A number of events were held throughout the year by the Sydney office in support of YWCA, including the Breakfast Club Program, which ensures that disadvantaged children start every school day with a nutritional breakfast in a safe and nurturing environment. Commencing in Term 3 at a suburban Sydney school, the Grant Thornton Foundation contributed people, time and a fantastic $11,000 towards this valuable program. Big thanks to the Grant Thornton Breakfast Club people: John Conley, Hilary Haynes, Anna Hu, Naz Islam, Naeha Lal, Aicha Neffati, Ilakkya Subramaniam, Ruchi Trivedi, Jodie Wong (pictured) and Jessica Zaknic.

Sydney People & Culture team

Further details of other Sydney initiatives can be found in Appendix 1. The (very hairy) Sydney mo-vers and shakers

20 Unlocking our community potential

Jodie Wong

Looking forward

Grant Thornton’s desire to unlock our community potential means empowering our people to make a tangible difference to the communities in which we all live. To us, it’s not simply about funding the charities we support. There is a clear and growing consciousness in the mind of today’s young professionals that the contributions they make are measured by so much more than the value of the business advice they provide. They are driven by a desire to make a positive difference to the world around them So our people demand that Grant Thornton stands for a higher purpose than its pure business ambition, and in compiling this report into the collective impact of the firm and its people on the community, it’s extraordinary to see how much has been achieved in just our first year. Together we are already making a positive impact to so many lives, both at home and abroad, and we’re inspired to reach greater heights next year. Tony Crawford Chairman Grant Thornton Australia Limited

Unlocking our community potential 21

Appendix Grant Thornton people’s other work Amnesty International

http://www.amnesty.org.au/

Leanne Thirlwell (Grant Thornton Sydney) undertook the City to Surf in support of Amnesty International

Birthing Kit Foundation

https://www.bkfa.org.au/

The Birthing Kit Foundation was special guest at the Adelaide Grant Thornton launch in November 2015.

Big Brothers Big Sisters

http://www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.au/ about-us/

Grant Thornton Australia National Charity Partner

Big Umbrella House

http://thebigumbrella.org/

Louise Taylor, Recovery & Reorganisation, Grant Thornton Sydney, raised funds via a bake-off with the help of the Sydney Advisory team, for the Big Umbrella House which rescues street kids from gangs in Kathmandu with the aim of rehabilitating them providing housing, education, food and other needs.

Brisbane Youth Service

http://www.brisyouth.org/

The Brisbane office organising a Daggy Jumper day for their Foundation partner BYS, raising $1700.

Childhood Cancer Association

http://www.childhoodcancer.asn.au/ourservices/about-our-services/

Grant Thornton Adelaide Foundation Partner

Children’s Medical Research Institute

http://www.cmri.org.au/Contact

Grant Thornton Brisbane raised $495 on Jeans for Genes Day.

Child Protection Practitioners Association of Queensland

http://www.cppaq.com.au/

Grant Thornton Brisbane provided CPAQ with meeting room facilities

Far North Queensland Cerebral Palsy Support Group

http://fnqcpsupportgroup.com/

Grant Thornton Cairns raised funds for this charity.

Gindaja Treatment and Healing Center

http://www.gindaja.org.au/

Grant Thornton Cairns raised funds for this charity.

The George Gregan Foundation

http://www.georgegreganfoundation.com.au/

Grant Thornton has recently become the Foundation’s pro bono auditors

Gethsemane Community

http://www.gethsemanecommunity.org.au/

Grant Thornton Cairns raised funds for this charity.

Hunger Project

http://thp.org.au/news

Grant Thornton Perth’s International Women’s Day raised money for this charity.

International Women’s Day

http://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Grant Thornton Perth hosted a high tea in partnership with Jackson McDonald, WA’s largest independent law firm, featuring Rabbia Siddique as guest speaker: http://www.rabiasiddique.com/.

Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health

http://www.ishar.org.au/

Grant Thornton Perth’s International Women’s Day raised money for this charity.

Jeans for Genes

https://www.jeansforgenes.org.au

Grant Thornton Sydney raised money for this charity.

Junction Australia

http://junctionaustralia.org.au/about-us

Grant Thornton Adelaide Foundation Partner

Kids are Kids!

http://kidsarekids.org.au/

Grant Thornton Perth Foundation Partner

The Katrina Dawson Foundation

http://thekatrinadawsonfoundation.org/

Grant Thornton is the Foundation’s pro bono auditors.

Love Hope Strength Foundation

http://lovehopestrength.org.au/

A Grant Thornton Partner is the Foundation’s trustee and treasurer. Grant Thornton also does pro bono bookkeeping

Make a Difference Foundation

http://www.madfoundation.com.au/

Grant Thornton Perth provides pro bono accounting and audit services to Make A Difference Foundation WA.

Maysar

https://www.facebook.com/ MAYSARcooperative

Grant Thornton Melbourne’s vacation students spent a day cleaning and painting from this Aboriginal youth-focused branch of Whitelion.

Manna Inc.

http://manna.org.au/

Grant Thornton Perth Foundation Partner

Mater Foundation

http://www.materfoundation.org.au/

Grant Thornton Brisbane donated trek T shirts towards the Mater Hospital’s ‘Inca Trek for Cancer’ in April 2015.

McGrath Foundation

http://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/

Leisl Wratten and Danielle Franjic volunteered at the Sydney test cricket in January 2015 by selling bandanas to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation.

Movember

https://au.movember.com/

Grant Thornton Melbourne ($12,200), Perth ($9,500) and Sydney ($18,966 – the largest amount globally, a wonderful effort) both raised funds for Movember.

Multiple Sclerosis Australia

http://www.msaustralia.org.au/

Nicole Baxter, Matt Bell, Matt Brown, Jodi Carroll Mary Dunmore, Scott Pardey, Andrew Smith and Shubham Tandon participated in a 100km cycle to help raise awareness and funds for Grant Thornton Brisbane client, Multiple Sclerosis.

Neuroblastoma Run to Cure

http://run2cure.org.au/

Lauriane Boucher participated in the 10km Run to Cure Neuroblastoma

22 Unlocking our community potential

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/

Conan Kwan volunteered at the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service as part of the Nielsen park bush regeneration program to protect native plants.

Oxfam

https://www.oxfam.org.au

Kate Sowden and Hannah Wakeling walked 100km for the Oxfam Trail Walk for the Oxfam Trail Walk

Padua Swim Club

http://padua.swimming.org.au/

Grant Thornton Brisbane provides pro bono audit services to Padua Swim Club.

Red Feb

http://www.redfeb.com.au/

Grant Thornton Melbourne raised just under $500 for Heart Research Australia to fighting heart disease,

RSL

http://rsl.org.au/

Grant Thornton Sydney sold Remembrance Day poppies for this well-known national charity.

Rocky Bay Disability Services

http://www.rockybay.org.au/

Kim Hayman, Perth Private Advisory Partner, is a member of the Rocky Bay Disability Services Finance Committee

Roseville College

http://www.roseville.nsw.edu.au/

Louise Taylor volunteered at Roseville College via Australian Business Week to provide mentoring to young school children.

Royal Historical Society of Queensland

http://www.queenslandhistory.org/

Grant Thornton Brisbane provides pro bono audit services to the RHSQ.

Streets Movement

http://www.thestreetsmovement.org/#!tsmteam/cqyf

Grant Thornton Cairns Foundation Partner

Seeing Eye Dogs

http://seda.visionaustralia.org/

Grant Thornton Brisbane supported the training of Seeing Eye dogs, Thomas and Otto.

Send Hope not Flowers

www.sendhope.org

Grant Thornton Cairns donated funds to this charity.

St Lucy’s School Sydney

http://www.stlucys.nsw.edu.au/

Grant Thornton Sydney’s People and Culture team spent a day clearing the school grounds.

Stem Cell Foundation of Australia

http://www.stemcellfoundation.net.au/

Grant Thornton Melbourne provides pro bono audit services to the Stem Cell Foundation.

Team Couch Triathlon

https://teamcouchtriathlon.gofundraise.com. au/

Grant Thornton Cairns donated funds to this charity.

World Vision

http://www.worldvision.com.au/about-us

Grant Thornton Australia National Charity Partner

Whitelion

http://www.whitelion.asn.au/

Grant Thornton Melbourne Foundation Partner Both Melbourne and Sydney people participated in Whitelion’s marquee fundraiser, the Whitelion Bail Out, raising over $18,000. Grant Thornton Perth provided pro bono general financial assistance to the charity.

Wandering Warriors

http://wanderingwarriors.org/

Grant Thornton Brisbane provides pro bono audit services to Wandering Warriors

Women Lawyers Association of Queensland

http://wlaq.com.au/

Grant Thornton Brisbane provides pro bono audit services to WLAQ

Women’s Legal Service

http://www.wlsa.org.au/

Andrew Smith raised over $7,000 for the Not for Profit organisation, Women’s Legal Service, which provides free legal advice and welfare to women and children who experience domestic violence.

Youngcare

https://www.youngcare.com.au/

Over 10 days in May 2015, 17 stoic Youngcare supporters (from Brisbane Grant Thornton) trekked 300km of the Simpson Desert to experience what life might be like for a young person living in aged care – compounding isolation, dependency and restrictions. The Grant Thornton Brisbane Foundation sponsored one of the participants $500 for this trek and the team also assisted with fundraising.

Youth Housing Project

http://yhp.org.au/

Grant Thornton Charity Partner: In March Brisbane collected vital items for Home Starter packs for disadvantaged youths. Special thanks to Sam Pape and Mary Dunmore for purchasing the packs.

Yalari

http://www.yalari.org/

Grant Thornton Brisbane provides Audit and Assurance services to Yalari.

YWCA

http://www.ywca.org.au/

Grant Thornton Sydney Foundation Partner. • In December 2014, Chen Wang volunteered a day helping students from Muirfield High School improve their financial knowledge as part of YWCA’s Money Savvy financial literacy program. • Aicha Neffati & Sarah Evans volunteered at YMCA’s marquee event, the Mother of All Balls, assisting with activities on the night. • Several Sydney people also attended YWCA’s A Night at the Rock Opera held in November.

YMCA Y Care

http://www.ycare.org.au/

Officially known as Y-Care SE QLD Inc., YMCA Social Impact is the group of programs that make up the charitable arm of the YMCA Brisbane. Brisbane’s Matt Bell, Partner – Audit & Assurance and Matt Tierney, Client Manager, also in Audit & Assurance, volunteered for Y-Care’s Schools Breakfast program. Grant Thornton also provides a discounted audit services to Y-Care.

YWCA Breakfast Club

http://www.ywcansw.com.au/breakfast_clubs. php

John Conley, Hilary Haynes, Anna Hu, Naz Islam, Naeha Lal, Aicha Neffati, Ruchi Trivedi, Ilakkya Subramaniam, Jodie Wong and Jessica Zaknic were the Grant Thornton Breakfast Club members for YWCA Sydney.

YWCA NSW

http://www.ywcansw.com.au/news/ newbrand2015.php

For YWCA’s 321 Run, which attempts to break the world record for threelegged race participants, Suzanne Chan, Kathryn Chung, William Lester and Himaja Paramatmuni from Grant Thornton Sydney volunteered on the day as facilitators.

Youth Enterprise Trust

http://www.yet.net.au

Grant Thornton Brisbane provides pro bono audit services to Youth Enterprise Trust.

Zonta House Women’s Refuge

http://zontahouse.org.au/

Grant Thornton Perth’s International Women’s Day raised money for this charity.

Unlocking our community potential 23

Contacts Grant Thornton Foundation Chairman Paul Billingham T +61 2 8297 2602 E [email protected]

Adelaide Sheenagh Edwards T +61 8 8372 6671 E [email protected]

Melbourne Eric Passaris T +61 3 8320 2423 E [email protected]

Brisbane Matt Bell T +61 7 3222 0266 E [email protected]

Perth Gail Curtis T +61 8 9480 2011 E [email protected]

Cairns Margaret Hoffman T +61 7 4046 8842 E [email protected]

Sydney Alison Sheridan T +61 2 9286 5618 E [email protected]

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