Talking Heads

Simon Herd, Myer Foundation Director:

“I would look for a story that needs to be told.

“Too many organisations in Australia do great work and create innovative solutions to problems but do not have the resources to share learnings with the wider community. Another organisation can spend time and energy developing a new idea or approach, without realising that something similar has been tried and tested previously. This leads to duplication of effort and also limits thinking and development.

“Ideally, organisations developing new ideas or programs could build on others’ experience of what worked and what failed. For this to happen, organisations need the resources to document learnings and to disseminate that information.

“With $2000 I would find an existing project and offer to pay someone to evaluate the project and docu ­ment its pros and cons. While formal evaluations can be expensive and can require specialist skills, it is almost always possible to document some of the experiences of people involved and some of the lessons learnt.”

Fred Harrison, Ritchies Stores CEO:

“If I had $2000 to give to a cause it would be to the Yarra Glen CFA.

“On Black Saturday, 7th February 2009, I was conducting the official launch of our new Yarra Glen Supermarket with Malcolm Cameron, another director of our company. As the tragic events unfolded, we were very much involved with the bushfire evacuation which took place in the Yarra Glen/ Kinglake region. I could not help but be touched by the dedication displayed by the men and women of the Yarra Glen CFA, unpaid volunteers who put their lives on the line every day to save lives and property – absolute unsung heroes.

“ Ritchies as a company, through Ritchies Community Benefit Program, anticipate donating close to $5 million dollars this year alone to more than 5000 clubs, schools and charities nominated by our customers. Over $31 million in cash has been donated since the inception of the program 15 years ago and it is very gratifying to me to see that the various CFA units throughout Victoria have received a total in excess of 1.7 million dollars of this total to date.”

Anne Hywood , Torrens Park, SA:

“I would support Anglicare SA’s ‘Generate’ program, which works to combat entrenched unemployment in families in Adelaide’s north. $2000 would go a long way to providing the work clothes, tools and transport fares required for these young people break out of the welfare dependency cycle.”

Helen Szoke , Melbourne, VIC :

I would definitely give $2000 to a human rights body like Amnesty, because the work they do not only looks at individual challenges but also systemic abuses of human rights.”

Cynthia Mitchell, Rozelle , NSW:

“I'd give it to Friends of Callan Park ( FoCP ). Callan Park is the one large green space left in the inner west of Sydney and it has many critical functions – it is the lungs of our community, providing a green and quiet space for wide-ranging formal and informal outdoor recreation activities, and until recently it was a wonderful mental health care centre. Sadly, that function has been shut down against expert advice and patients have been moved from green parklands to sterile high-rise buildings.

“ FoCP have worked tirelessly for many years to protect the park for the community, fighting off successive State Government attempts to sell it or give it away for development. They are well-organised and rely on significant efforts from committed volunteers.

“ A gift such as this would give them a boost and a little breathing space to think strategically about their next moves in planning a future for Callan Park that benefits the entire community.”

Paula Benson, Williamstown, VIC:

“I would give my $2000 to Ovarian Cancer Australia. It's a small organisation with a big heart and a huge task – to ensure that every woman in Australia knows the symptoms of ovarian cancer.

“ The team of three and a half women work so hard to raise funds to run awareness campaigns and provide resources and personal support to women and their families affected by ovarian cancer. I am proud and privileged to know them and to be involved in this outstanding organisation.”

Richard, Mont Albert North, VIC:

“One that comes to mind would be the bushfire appeal, because I heard recently in the media that they’re yet to claim one third of the money that was pledged, but somehow the money hasn’t filtered through. So they’re still missing out and their lives are in tatters and those people who are rebuilding there I think are going to experience further suffering in bushfires in the future.

“ I think the money would be best spent there because they might be able to make use of it to put in some measures to minimise the possibility of it happening again.”

Mark, Yarraville , VIC:

“I'd put the money into renewable energy research. I don't know which organisation in particular, but I'd go for that cause because it has the potential to help every future generation rather than specific people in immediate causes.”

Dhanashree , Hampton Park, VIC:

“Not for any particular organisation, but I think it’s better to help people who want to work, for employment. If they have any lack in their skills or if they would like to improve, I think I would like to help in this way. Getting employment.”