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Community Contribution


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The Fairbrother Foundation has been established as a not for profit, Private Ancillary Fund (PAF). Its intent is to provide an avenue for donations from the Fairbrother family, business, employees and other key stakeholders to give back to areas of need in our communities.

The Foundation’s core purposes are to:

  • Facilitate access to quality education, particularly among youth
  • Support activities or research striving for improved health and well-being
  • Support charities that have a direct connection to our employees
  • Where possible support charities making a positive impact within the construction industry.

Foundation Background

The Fairbrother Foundation formed a partnership with the UTAS Foundation in 2008 to support keen students to undertake an undergraduate degree at the University of Tasmania. Since 2008, the UTAS Foundation has awarded a 3-year Fairbrother Foundation Scholarship to 20 students, enabling many to successfully undertake university study.
To be eligible for a scholarship, a student must have a parent employed by Fairbrother Pty Ltd or Degree C Pty Ltd (an entity owned by Fairbrother) and preferably be entering the first year of their degree. The Fairbrother Foundation Scholarship currently provides recipients with $15,000, spread evenly across 3 years.

Key Partnerships

The Fairbrother Foundation has also formed key partnerships with:

  • Hobart City Mission (HCM), providing financial support in particular the HCM’s DIY Dads program.
  • SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY, where the Foundation is contributing to SUSC’s essential and powerful work around promoting positive mental health and suicide prevention.
  • New Horizonsa charity focused on building inclusive communities through sport and recreation. The Fairbrother Foundation is supporting to offer an inclusive basketball program catering for beginners right through to more competent players.
  • Action Against Homelessness (AAH), a community supported charity based in Devonport, Tasmania focused on implementing solutions to alleviate homelessness.
  • The Smith Family, where the Foundation is supporting two student scholarships under The Smith Family’s Learning for Life Program.
  • Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch Bendigo, a key fundraising activity raising money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
  • UTAS Foundation, providing scholarships for University of Tasmania students.

A big thank you to the Fairbrother Foundation for their donation towards MS Australia and MS Research Australia. This was the perfect gift to give Mum in time for Mothers Day. 

Tim Mee, Fairbrother

“I nominated Cystic Fibrosis Tasmania as this is a disorder close to me. My brother-in-law lives with this disorder. There needs to be a lot more awareness as many people don’t have knowledge of this unless it affects them personally. That was me before I learnt about it. As with a lot of charities, they can all do with more funding for research and to help those suffering,”

Brooke Casboult, Degree C.

“Thank you to the Fairbrother Foundation for supporting Dementia Australia. In recent months my father has been diagnosed with vascular dementia and parkinsonisms. Dementia Australia has been an invaluable resource for my family as we struggle to deal with his diagnosis, care needs and planning for the future.”

Em Hollister, Fairbrother

“Being able to contribute to Lets Talk allows their organisation to continue with their great work in de-stigmatising mental health, particularly in men. It gives our staff, as a whole, a great feeling to know that we are able to assist them to continue their important work within our community.” 

Billy Edis, Fairbrother

Employee-Led Donations

The Fairbrother Foundation recognises that it is the quality work of Fairbrother employees that underpins our ability to make charitable donations. Each year employees are consulted regarding charities to support. As a result of this process, the Foundation has had the pleasure of making donations to each of the following charities:

Coeliac Australia – nominated by Laura ParkerMuscular Dystrophy Association of Tasmania – nominated by Sam GrayTasmania Police Charity Trust – nominated by Luke Young
65 for CF (Cystic Fibrosis Tasmania) – nominated by Gaye RutherfordMotor Neurone Disease Association of Tasmania – nominated by Tennille JagoDress for Success Hobart – nominated by Jessica Ribbon
Heart and Lung Transplant Trust Victoria – nominated by Brad Van Den BoschHelicopter Rescue Tasmania Fund – nominated by Sam GrayOstomy Tasmania – nominated by Stephan Muther
Risdon Vale Bike Collective – nominated by Dylan GrahamDiabetes Tasmania – nominated by Adrian De JongBeyond Blue – nominated by Richard Skelly
Impact Recovery Bendigo – nominated by Joel FergusPathways Tasmania – nominated by Kurt ArnoldStroke Foundation – nominated by Mick Draper
Mates4Mates – nominated by Dave TooheyTassie Mums – nominated by Laura ShipCystic Fibrosis Australia – nominated by Brad Van Den Bosch
Diabetes Australia – nominated by Hannah ThomasHeartkids Victoria/Tasmania – nominated by Sam NugentCystic Fibrosis Tasmania – nominated by Brooke Casboult
MSResearch Australia – nominated by Shaun RoneyMS Australia – nominated by Tim MeeSPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY – nominated by Paul Ransley, Carrisa Wells and Billy Edis and his South West Victoria team
MS Research Australia – nominated by Shaun RoneyCamp Quality – nominated by Andrew Burns (Victorian team)Dementia Australia – nominated by Em Hollister
Huntington’s Disease Association of Tasmania – nominated by Thea FairbrotherHALT (Hope Assistance Local Tradies) Aust – nominated by Josh GillCanTeen – nominated by Richard McGuire
The Bernie Banton Foundation – nominated by Richard SkellyGive Me 5 for Kids – nominated by Sheralee UrbancAutism Tasmania – nominated by Craig Luttrell
Legacy – nominated by Natalie BellCancer Council – nominated by Joel LaycockMake A Wish Australia – nominated by Jessica Cameron
Let’s Talk – nominated by Billy Edis and the South West Victorian TeamThe Smith Family – nominated by Royce FairbrotherNeuroblastoma Australia – nominated by Jackson and Tom Ackerley
Project Whitelion – nominated by Nick FreemanAustralian Cancer Research Foundation – nominated by Michael CaldwellRoyal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation – nominated by Gaye Rutherford

Directors

Gaye Rutherford, Chair, BA(Hons), BNutrDiet(Hons), G.A.I.C.D.

The current Chair of the Foundation is Gaye Rutherford (née Fairbrother). Gaye provides a strong family connection for the Foundation, and in addition to being a Foundation Director, also sits on the Board of Fairbrother Pty Ltd. As a mother and Accredited Practising Dietitian, Gaye feels passionate about the Foundation’s focus on education and wellbeing initiatives.

Kurt Arnold

After commencing his career with Fairbrother Pty Ltd back in 1995, Kurt has progressively fulfilled a number of roles and is now the company’s Chief Executive Officer and is a member of Fairbrother Pty Ltd’s Board. Kurt joined the Foundation as a Director in 2016 and provides a valuable connection between the Foundation and the operational aspects of the Company.

Mark Nugent

Mark is currently also a Board member of Fairbrother Pty Ltd and Degree C Pty Ltd and has the executive role of Chief Financial Officer.  Mark also served on the Fairbrother Employees Retirement Fund Board for a number of years until its transfer to Tasplan in 2018. Mark is also a Board member of Bank of Us a role he has held since 2012. Mark brings to the Board his experience in governance and regulatory environments as well as his financial and strategic knowledge.

Gareth Atkins, B.Com., C.A., R.T.A, R.C.A.

Gareth is the CEO and director of Synectic Group, who have a long-standing relationship as accountants & business advisers to the Fairbrother Group. Gareth is a Chartered Accountant, Registered Tax Agent, Registered Company Auditor and acts as Non-Executive Director of a number of Tasmanian businesses. Having joined the board in 2021, Gareth provides independent advice relating to finance, governance and strategy and acts as the Responsible Person for the Foundation.


Fairbrother Charitable Trust

The Fairbrother Charitable Trust was established in 2023 to provide additional flexibility for charitable donations, being able to support any charity or charitable project that aligns with the values and goals of the Fairbrother Group.

The first project the Fairbrother Charitable Trust embraced was the development of a 14-unit, 24/7 supported living site in Claremont. This facility will support long-term accommodation for people living with mental illness and psychosocial disability. The Claremont facility has been named Glenson Place in honour of Thea and Royce Fairbrother’s son, Glen, and the health challenges that he navigates.