Qantas sets up Charitable Foundation

Qantas has established a charitable body, the Qantas Foundation, responsible for consolidating and expanding the airline's charitable and community activities.

An independent Board of Directors, Chaired by Mr Doug Jukes, Chair of the Starlight Foundation and KPMG's Global Head of People and Culture, will oversee more than $5 million dedicated to the Foundation.

The fund will initially comprise $3.4 million raised from the sale of selected works from the Qantas art collection in 2007, and a $2 million initial donation to support environmental initiatives.

"The Qantas Foundation will co-exist alongside the airline's existing community programs and allow Qantas to provide additional support in a number of areas. Initially, these include the environment, humanitarian relief and Australian contemporary art," the Chairman of Qantas, Mr Leigh Clifford, said.

In addition to Mr Jukes, three eminent Australians have accepted invitations to join the Qantas Foundation Trustee Board:

- Hon. BruceBaird, a former NSW State Government Minister and Federal MP;
- Mr Edmund Capon, the director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales; and
- Mr John Field, a partner at law firm Blake Dawson.

They will be joined by three Qantas senior executives:

- Mr Gareth Evans, Group General Manager, Finance, Network, Operations and Pricing;
- Mr David Hawes, Group General Manager, Government and International Relations; and
- Mr Rob Kella, Chief Risk Officer.

The Qantas Foundation Trustee Board will be responsible for managing and distributing grants from four funds:

- the Art Encouragement Fund; 
- the Environmental Sustainability Fund; 
- the Humanitarian Fund and
- the General Fund for other charitable purposes.

From the Art Encouragement Fund, Qantas will also establish The Qantas Foundation Encouragement of Australian Contemporary Art Award. The award, of $20,000 cash and $10,000 worth of Qantas air travel, will be presented to one artist from each state and territory to support their future work.

The initial environment donation of $2 million will be used to support important environment initiatives across Australia.

Independently of the Foundation, Qantas will continue its strong support of a large number of community and charitable groups, including the five key Sharing the Spirit charities - CanTeen, CARE Australia, Mission Australia, Starlight Children's Foundation Australia and UNICEF

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