2 3 The Ian Potter Foundation was established in 1964 Chairman’s Report 4 by Sir Ian Potter and is now one of Australia’s leading Contents Funding Principles 5 philanthropic foundations. The Ian Potter Foundation CEO’s Report 6 donates nationally, supporting a wide range of Community Wellbeing 8 projects across many sectors of the community. Alec Prentice Sewell Gift 20 The Governors and staff of the Foundation work Education 22 to uphold Sir Ian’s legacy by supporting Australia’s Health 28 community leaders and innovators to bring a positive Environment & Conservation 32 contribution to our society. Science 36 Medical Research 40 GOVERNORS STAFF Arts 44 The Ian Potter Foundation is governed by a Board of Chief Executive Officer Travel 54 Governors. The Chairman is Mr Charles Goode, AC. Mrs Janet Hirst Governors also serve terms on the Finance and Audit Conference 60 Finance Committees. The Board meets four times each year. Mr John Kellaway Review 62 Life Governor Ms Therese Reidy Lady Primrose Potter, AC Grant Management Governors Ms Caitriona Fay Mr Charles B Goode, AC (Chairman) Ms Helen Murray Professor Geoffrey N Blainey, AC Ms Claire Rimmer Mr Leon Davis, AO Ms Maria Roberts The Hon Sir Daryl Dawson, AC, KBE, CB Communications The Hon Sir James Gobbo, AC, CVO, QC Ms Avalee Weir Mr John B Gough, AO, OBE Professor Thomas W Healy, AO Administration Ms Gail Lewry Dr Thomas H Hurley, AO, OBE Ms Rebecca Clark Mr Allan J Myers, AO, QC Mr Frank L Nelson Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer Dr P John Rose, AO Ms Kay Roworth Professor Graeme B Ryan, AC Above The Chairman and staff of The Ian Potter Foundation The Ian Potter Foundation 2008–09 The Ian Potter Foundation 2008–09 4 5 Chairman’s Report Funding Principles This past year was one of unprecedented financial The Ian Potter Foundation has continued to develop Six common principles are central to the Foundation’s grant-making turmoil that saw the global financial market in crisis, its professionalism and improve its efficiency. Our across all Program Areas: adversely impacting upon economic activity and causing Program Managers are qualified and experienced A commitment to excellence. We support organisations, programs much hardship. In such circumstances, the Foundation’s and bring particular knowledge of the various areas and individuals who are outstanding in their field in a national and attention naturally turned to the issue of what we could the Foundation operates within. They spend a great international context. do to alleviate the suffering caused by the Global deal of time assessing applications, considering them Financial Crisis, especially the increased pressure on against the Foundation’s principles and objectives An emphasis on the ‘Innovate, Evaluate, Disseminate’ strategy. We seek welfare agencies in the face of less funding available as well as the new system of indicative budgets, and to fund programs and projects that take a new approach to problems and and more demand. meeting with many applicant organisations before support the evaluation of their trial and, if successful, their replication in other locations or contexts. Although the Foundation’s capital was impacted by making recommendations and submitting them for these events, we were fortunate to be able to maintain consideration by the program area Committees and A focus on prevention. In seeking to maximise the value of our grants, our grants at a similar level to the previous year, and then the Board. With hundreds of applications each we try to address the causes of problems, rather than treat the symptoms. moving forward, the Board of Governors has agreed round this can be an exacting process. At the same Supporting research is fundamental to this approach. time, the CEO, Program Managers and the Governors to a minimum level of grants for the next five years to Potential for leverage. Our grants have greater impact when combined proactively seek out projects that will meet particular ensure that the Foundation maintains its commitment to with support from other sources. These might include other trusts and objectives or a need that has been identified in the ‘making a difference’. In the coming year, the Foundation foundations, government, business and volunteers. We are happy to be community, and we expect to place increased emphasis will direct an increased proportion of its grants to the one of a number of supporters of a program. Community Wellbeing program area to help tackle on this approach in the future. Long-term thinking. We try to fund programs that will continue to have an The task for The Ian Potter Foundation is to ensure some of the pressing issues currently facing this sector. impact well beyond the period of our support. In making grants, attention that as a leading Australian foundation we maintain our I would like to acknowledge the Governors and our is given to the sustainability of the project at the conclusion of the period ongoing commitment to a fair and thorough process, advisers who have worked to manage and protect the covered by the grant. Foundation’s financial integrity in difficult circumstances professional standards of administration, record-keeping and communication, and of course, our commitment to Partnerships. We encourage applications from organisations that to ensure that we can continue to honour the tradition are working with others in their field, and indeed in other fields. established by Sir Ian. the principles that have been developed over the last 40 years. Despite the pressure of the financial market downturn that affected disbursements for many foundations in I would particularly like to thank our Chief Executive the last 18 months and a reduction in corporate giving Officer and her staff for the professional and enthusiastic in particular, philanthropy in Australia continues to grow manner in which they have carried out their duties. and develop. Interestingly, Philanthropy Australia reports We feel the Foundation’s grants have made a difference that not-for-profit fundraising actually went up over the to many people and organisations. year, an indicator of Australians’ willingness to give to others in time of need. The philanthropic sector as a whole is becoming increasingly professional and results- oriented as foundations and trusts, large and small, seek to ensure that their funding reaches those who can use Charles Goode it best and need it most. Chairman The Ian Potter Foundation 2008–09 The Ian Potter Foundation 2008–09 6 7 CEO’s Report This year the Foundation has approved 145 grants in Innovate, Evaluate, Disseminate This year’s report provides a snapshot of the diversity Fundraising Event 2008–09 the areas of the Arts, Community Wellbeing, Education, Our funding is guided by funding principles which of excellent programs the Foundation has been able Environment & Conservation, Health, Medical Research, include an emphasis on our ‘Innovate, Evaluate, to support, with funding reaching people and places in The Foundation regularly holds special fundraising Science, Travel and Conference, and paid grants Disseminate’ strategy – programs and projects that take almost every state and territory. For organisations that events and invites the public to donate to the totalling $13,077,358, a slight increase over the previous a new approach to problems and support the evaluation are seeking funding, the best place to start is always Foundation. In October 2008, the Foundation year although the total value of the new grants was of their trial and, if successful, their replication in other our website where you can find out about application co-hosted a fascinating evening with The George down on the previous year. This brings the total of locations or contexts. During the year, we have reviewed procedures and requirements and check our funding Alexander Foundation at the Melbourne Museum. grants paid by the Foundation since inception to $132 the strategy to ensure that we are taking the risks to back objectives and priorities in each program area. ‘Beyond the Seas’ provided guests with a tantalising glimpse of life beneath our bays and oceans. million. As at 30 June 2009, future commitments stand new approaches to significant challenges, supporting Finally, I would like to thank our Staff for all the value Dr Mark Norman, Senior Curator Marine Biology, at a further $10.93 million. Not surprisingly, this year good ideas and sound organisations, ensuring that the they bring to the Foundation’s work and the Board of Melbourne Museum, took us below the waters of we saw an increase in the number of grant applications implementation of projects is rigorously evaluated and Governors for their support and counsel throughout Port Phillip Bay and introduced a surprising array submitted to the Foundation. The pressure on funding if they prove to be successful and sustainable, sharing the year. sources has clearly had an impact across all sectors and the knowledge. Through this dissemination strand of the of weird and wonderful sea- dwelling creatures, the economic climate has provided an added impetus strategy, we hope grants made to these organisations after which Dr Anne Hoggett, Director, Lizard Island for us to consider ways to increase the effectiveness can ultimately help many more. Research Station outlined the environmental of our grant making. challenges being faced by coral reefs, in particular Staff the issue of ocean acidity, and how these problems We continue to receive applications from diverse The skills and professionalism of our staff continue Janet Hirst can be addressed. Following canapés, guests were organisations, with a common theme across them to grow with the appointment of new staff members. Chief Executive Officer treated to a special behind-the-scenes tour of some all – the desire to make a difference to the lives and Avalee Weir joined the Foundation in the new position of the Museum’s collection rooms which was a wellbeing of our communities and the environment.