It was wonderful to see so many supporters and friends at our annual supporters’ lunch kindly hosted by David Wiadrowski and PwC on Thursday 21 July. We very much welcomed the opportunity to thank everyone and provide an update on The Fund’s activities and upcoming events.
Chairman John O’Neill AO welcomed major sponsors, Tim Harrowell of Emirates, David Smith ofDiageo and Dwyer Ogle, Autosports Group, his fellow Governors present including; Yvonne le Bas, Mary lee, Paul O’Brien, Peter and Toni Ryan and Ruth Tarlo; and Special guests H.E. Noel White and CEO of the worldwide Ireland Funds Kieran McLoughlin. The Chairman informed guests of the grant round we had just made in June of $387,000 which included a flagship grant of $76,000 to Soar in Ireland, inspired by Irishman Jim Stynes and the Reach Foundation in Melbourne. Soar’s purpose is to inspire young people aged 12 – 19 to have the self believe to fulfil their highest potential. $61,000 to Solas (which means light) a long term, intensive intervention working in some of the most disadvantaged areas in Dublin with young people from 6 to 18. $61,000 to Suas Education to provide direct literacy, numeracy and computer science support to children aged 8 – 14. $40,000 to support indigenous Scholarships in schools in Brisbane and Sydney, together with the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation.
We also had three donor advised grants one from Ruth Tarlo for a scholarship in Law at Trinity College to honour her late husband Hyman. One from the Lansdowne Club to support Sensational Kids in Ireland and a grant to support the development of the Worldwide Ireland Funds.
The Chairman then introduced Kieran McLoughlin, CEO of the Worldwide Ireland Funds who was able to join us during his flying visit to Australia. Kieran spoke of the 40th anniversary of the Worldwide Ireland Funds and the recent Annual Conference in Dublin. Fittingly it was the largest conference to date, celebrating such an important date and 16 delegates travelled from Australia to attend. Special guests at the conference included Vice President of the USA, Joe Biden, Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson and Taoiseach Enda Kenny. All paid tribute to the invaluable and impactful work of the Worldwide Ireland Funds.
H.E. Noel White, Ambassador of Ireland to Australia spoke next, thanking guests on Ireland’s behalf not only for their financial support but their friendship and care for the people of Ireland. The Ambassador thanked those involved in the work of the Australian Ireland Fund for all that they do and said he believes in the work of the Fund and will stay involved wherever he goes.
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