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September 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media release
Corporates put their money where their mouth is
They’re buzz words seen in numerous annual reports each year, corporate social
responsibility, but is it real or just rhetoric? Would a TV station, an insurance
company or youth electronics supplier really put their hands in their pockets?
Australia doesn’t have the strong philanthropic corporate culture seen in some
other countries, but that is starting to change. Queensland charity ACT for Kids
has been overwhelmed by the commitment and generosity of many of their
corporate supporters, and it’s not just money that matters.
ACT for Kids is a not-for-profit organisation providing free professional therapy
to treat and prevent child abuse and neglect across Queensland. Chairman Denis
Loaney said they are often amazed at the level of support they receive from
businesses.
“This year particularly we’ve noticed a surge in support. Our inaugural Channel
Seven/ACT for Kids Appeal started with support from Channel Seven Brisbane
and has seen a ground swell of generosity.
“Budget Direct heard about the appeal and realised we needed a call centre to
take the donation calls we hope to receive. They’ve established a purpose-built
call centre, developed software specifically for us and many of their staff will sit
alongside our volunteers to taking calls throughout the appeal in Child
Protection Week.
“We could never afford to pay for that, and the time, infrastructure and genuine
enthusiasm they’ve invested in us is humbling,” Denis said.
Director of IT for Budget Direct Paul Malt said it was their turn to give back to
the community and as experts in their field they were honoured to help out.
“We’ve built a system that’s user friendly so volunteers along with Budget Direct
staff can get on the phones with minimal training. The system itself took more
than two weeks to build. We’ve also created a bespoke telephone IVR system to
support the ACT for Kids telephone queue.
“As an insurer we are equipped to handle an influx of calls similar to those in
emergency situations like storm events so our staff are on the ground and ready
to support this worthy cause,” Paul said.
There are also benefits for businesses who engage with charities. General
Manager of Conexus Consulting, Lesley-Anne Houghton, said their team have
reaped rewards supporting ACT for Kids.
“It provides our team with a strong sense of purpose and employee satisfaction.
It is great as individuals and as a team to feel that we are contributing and
making a difference to our community.
MORE 1 of 2
ACT for Kids is an Australian
charity providing free professional
therapy to treat and prevent child
abuse.
Previously known as the Abused
Child Trust, we have helped
thousands of children affected by
abuse and neglect since 1988.
Did you know?
In 2008-09, there were
339,454 reports made to
child protection services in
Australia. Authorities found
abuse claims were
substantiated in 54,621
cases.
The rate of abuse has more
than doubled over the past
10 years.
The number of children
being removed from their
parents has also doubled
over the past decade. At 30
June 2009, there were
34,069 young people in out-
of-home care.
The Australian Government
and State and Territory
governments announced in
2009 a national, long-term
approach for protecting
Australia’s children. ACT for
Kids is part of a coalition
working to ensure these
reforms produce better
protection for children.
ACT for Kids is calling on the
Australian Government to
make the ‘baby bonus’
contingent upon new
parents completing a basic
parenting course.
PAGE 2: Corporates put their money where their mouth is
“We initially began providing financial donations a couple of years ago as part of ACT for Kids’ Christmas
Appeal. We have since developed more of a partnership and provided more support in the areas that
we operate in – leadership and team development and strategic planning – as well as continue to
provide financial support.
“Our team will also be shaking donation cans and answering the phones during the appeal to help with
their fundraising,” Lesley-Anne said.
There are so many charities, how does a business decide which one to support? Director of E3 Style,
Vanessa Garrard, said they took a novel approach to choose their charity partner.
“We decided we wanted to put something back into the community but we really didn’t know where to
start. We took a slightly unusual approach and put an ad in the paper explaining that we wanted to do
some charity work and asking organisations to contact us.
“ACT for Kids is also a great fit for us, we work with electronics products and we’re the largest supplier
of youth electronics so working with an organisation that does great work with kids and young people
was important to us.
“We’ve volunteered in a few different ways, providing free graphic design for the ACT for Kids Platinum
Class Lottery brochures and we had the whole team out at the Wooloowin centre earlier this year
painting the office and teachers’ room. We had 14 of our team there and worked out it cost us about
$6,000 in paint and people. We enjoyed it and they were so thankful, we’ve committed to doing that
each year,” Vanessa said.
Perhaps Queensland businesses, large and small, are opening their eyes after the GFC and putting their
hands in their pockets.
ACT for Kids Executive Chairman, Denis Loaney, said that with so many confirmed cases of child abuse,
they need all the support they can get and have good reason to set the ambitious target of raising
$500,000 during the Channel Seven/ACT for Kids Appeal.
“We’ve been providing free professional therapy to treat and prevent child abuse across Queensland for
over 20 years. The need for our professional services continues to increase and we want to reach out to
all of the children and families affected by child abuse and neglect, but we need help to fund that
support,” Denis said.
ACT for Kids therapy centres located in Weipa, Cairns, Townsville, Gold Coast and Brisbane operate
outreach and remote services throughout Queensland. The Channel Seven/ACT for Kids Appeal runs 3-
1300 228 000.
ENDS
Contact:
ACT for Kids Communication and PR Manager
Kelly Morgan 07 3857 8866 or 0409 751 622
kellym@actforkids.com.au
NEWS 
