It has only been a few months since our last newsletter but there is much news to share.

In October, we were excited and proud to join with the Australian Government and other leading philanthropic foundations to announce our support for the establishment of a new national centre for place-based work in local communities across Australia. Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment (PLACE) will support hundreds of communities and initiatives nationwide, working with local communities to address complex and persistent socio-economic barriers. PLACE aims to better support and elevate existing work, share successful practices, and inspire new ways for communities to envision and lead their own futures. 

In November, I was honoured to be invited to give the Feilman Oration at the Australian and New Zealand Third Sector Research Conference to share perspectives on the not-for-profit sector from my relatively new position in philanthropy. This invitation had particular significance due to the connection with the Foundation's inaugural Secretary Pat Feilman. It also provided an opportunity to reflect on how the Foundation is positioned within the for-purpose sector and outline our thinking on how those on the funder side can foster partnerships that lead to stronger and more resilient communities.

We have also had quite a few staff changes at the Foundation. We welcome Dr Karen Sitte as our new Program Manager for Public Health and Medical Research and Dr Brad Shrimpton as the new Program and Partnerships Manager at The George Alexander Foundation, replacing Mairead Phillips. We also say farewell to Rohan Martyres who has taken up a new position at The Menzies Foundation as Director – Strategy and Partnerships.

On behalf of our Board of Governors and staff, I also wish to congratulate Professor Emma Johnston AO on her appointment as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, the first woman to hold this position.

As we come to the end of another year, I wish all our partners a happy and safe holiday break. I trust we can all spend some restorative time with family and friends. There is much to look forward to in 2025.