Australia Pacific QBE Foundation employee choice local grant recipients 2024
- Four $40,000 local grants were awarded by Australia Pacific QBE Foundation to local projects that are close to the hearts of QBE employees.
- From alopecia support to educating children about cancer, a number of projects are helping make a huge difference every single day.
- Read on to find out about the work of Australia Alopecia Areata Foundation, Camp Quality, Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre, and Starlight Children’s Foundation.
At the heart of QBE’s purpose is to help build strong, resilient communities. Through the work of the Australia Pacific QBE Foundation, we are able to support a range of community organisations who deliver initiatives that truly make a difference.
Each year, through the local grants program, the Australia Pacific QBE Foundation awards $40,000 to organisations across three categories – climate resilience, inclusion and employee choice.
In 2024, a total of 12 organisations were each given $40,000 to help drive new projects and continue the exceptional work they’re already doing.
In the climate resilience and inclusion categories, the organisations themselves have to submit an application. In our employee choice category, however, things are slightly different.
In this category, we invite our Australian colleagues to nominate organisations that are close to their hearts. It could be an organisation they’ve benefitted from personally. It may have helped their family or friends, or it could be one they volunteer time for.
Australia Pacific QBE Foundation local grants employee choice category 2024
This year, in our employee choice category, four organisations were selected to each receive $40,000.
Australia Pacific QBE Foundation Chair Chris Esson says, “This category is particularly special, as it enables us to help organisations that in many cases have made a genuine difference to the lives of our QBE colleagues.”
“When reviewing the submissions for this category, it’s always a real reminder that we all have our own things going on in our lives, and it’s important to take a moment to recognise the huge network of groups and organisations that are helping so many people in our communities in different ways every single day.”
This year, the four recipients of our Australia Pacific QBE Foundation employee choice grants are Australian Alopecia Areata Foundation, Camp Quality, Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre, and Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Australia Pacific QBE Foundation local grants employee choice category recipients 2024
Australia Alopecia Areata Foundation
The background
The Australia Alopecia Areata Foundation (AAAF) was founded in 2010, with the intention of improving the lives of people living with alopecia areata, as well as the lives of their families.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that results in hair loss on the scalp, as well as elsewhere on the body. There is currently no cure, and current estimates suggest 2% of the population will be affected by the condition.1
The AAAF strives to support those with alopecia areata and their families, raise public awareness of the condition and support research into a cure or treatment.
The community need
Dealing with alopecia areata is deeply challenging for a person of any age – for children, those challenges are often magnified. Unpredictable hair loss can impact self-esteem, emotional wellbeing and social interactions. Through the annual AAAdventure Camp, the AAAF creates the opportunity for young people aged 6-18 with alopecia areata to come together in a safe, supportive environment, reduce feelings of isolation, have fun and enjoy experiences that help build confidence and resilience.
What the grant will be used for
The grant will be used to fund AAAdventure Camp participation, enabling young people from across the country to come together in a safe, supporting space.
Chel Campbell, President and Treasurer, says, “Through a variety of engaging and inclusive activities, children with alopecia are encouraged to explore their talents, build resilience, and challenge themselves in a safe environment. These activities are designed not only to be fun and enriching but also to promote personal growth and self-acceptance, essential for their emotional development.
“The AAAdventure Camp ensures inclusivity by covering all costs for participants, including travel, accommodation, meals, and activities. This financial support eliminates barriers that may prevent children from attending, ensuring that all families, regardless of their financial situation, can benefit equally from the camp's transformative experiences.”
Camp Quality
The background
Camp Quality has been uplifting children impacted by cancer, and their families, since 1983, through programs that offer fun, laughter, support and resilience-building experiences. Through camps, recreational activities, and educational initiatives, Camp Quality focuses on creating a supportive community that nurtures the physical and emotional wellbeing of children facing cancer challenges.
The community need
A cancer diagnosis for a young child or a family member is incredibly tough, and in that situation both children and their families need community support. It can be difficult for young children’s friends and peers to know how to support – but having that support can be hugely important.
Camp Quality’s Cancer Education Program includes an engaging puppet show that helps dispel myths and build supportive communities for preschool and primary school-aged children affected by cancer.
The fun and interactive show helps children understand cancer and the side effects of treatment, addresses the anxieties of returning to school, and shares stories about how to be a supportive classmate.
Camp Quality CEO, Deborah Thomas, says “In 2024, we visited around 587 schools and early learning centres, reaching over 80,000 kids nationally. Independent research conducted by KPMG showed that the Cancer Education Program decreases bullying, reduces absenteeism, increases parental productivity, and supports mental health.”
What the grant will be used for
The grant will be used to support 24 additional performances in schools and early learning centres, helping educate children across the country and help build supportive communities for those who truly need it.
“This program plays a crucial role in fostering understanding among students about childhood cancer and its effects on young lives,” says Deborah.
“By bringing real-life stories and educational resources into classrooms, Camp Quality empowers students and teachers to become compassionate and informed advocates. Through interactive puppet shows and materials tailored to different age groups, the program not only educates but also inspires empathy and support for children and their families dealing with the trauma of cancer. This helps children with cancer return to a welcoming, empathetic, and understanding environment, and those with a family member undergoing treatment better understand what is going on and how they can help.”
Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre
The background
The Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre at Concord Hospital was established in 2013, with the aim of helping people at all stages of the cancer journey through access to a multidisciplinary team of professionals. From specialist cancer doctors to dieticians, psychologists and physiologists, the Centre supports survivors by helping improve their physical and mental health.
The community need
It’s expected almost one in two Australians will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85.2 In the 1980s, the cancer survival rate was less than 50%.3 Today, almost seven out of 10 Australians diagnosed with cancer will survive for at least five years after diagnosis.4
A cancer diagnosis is a whirlwind of surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation. Each of these come with their own set of side effects, and the Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre supports survivorship goals from the time of diagnosis, free of charge.
With more people being diagnosed with cancer, the demand for services offered by organisations like the Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre increases too.
While the Centre does receive some government funding, it relies on annual fundraising activities to try to meet additional demands as a result of increasing referrals of cancer survivors by their treating oncologists to the Centre.
What the grant will be used for
The grant will be used to fund a 12-week exercise physiology program, which helps patients to safely return to exercise under the supervision of the clinic’s exercise physiologists.
“Not only does exercise improve cancer survivors’ psychological wellbeing and physical health, the benefit of exercise in the short term helps to reduce stress, improve sleep and fatigue amongst many other benefits,” says Dr Janette Vardy, Director of Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre.
“In the long term, exercise is shown to reduce the likelihood of cancer recurrence along with other health issues such as osteoporosis.”
There is currently a waiting list for the exercise physiology program, and the grant will enable the Centre to open the program up to 70 more cancer survivors.
Starlight Children’s Foundation
The background
For more than 30 years, Starlight Children’s Foundation has been bringing joy and happiness into the lives of children dealing with disability, injury or illness. Through play, creativity and social connection, Starlight programs create the fun and happiness seriously ill children need, creating opportunities for connection and entertainment that transform their healthcare experience.
Starlight has a permanent presence at every major children’s hospital in Australia, helping children and their families through what is often an incredibly tough time.
The community need
The John Hunter Children’s Hospital (JHCH) in Newcastle, New South Wales, sees almost 25,000 children present at its emergency department every year. Sometimes, those visits can turn into weeks, months or years of hospital admissions and treatment.
When a child is seriously ill, they are often unable to leave their hospital wards – which leads to social isolation, boredom, fear, stress and loneliness. When visiting hospitals for outpatient appointments, meanwhile, they can be faced with lengthy waits.
Starlight’s Rocket Rounds Program at JHCH brings entertainment to the wards and clinics of the hospital five days a week, thanks to a team of Captain Starlights – professional costumed performers and artists. A spontaneous dance party, a quiet lullaby, a craft activity or a joke session helps keep children entertained and puts a smile on their face.
“These services provide critically ill children with much-needed positive distractions, helping to alleviate the isolation and stress of their medical treatments,” says Ria Oxburgh, National Philanthropy Manager at Starlight Children’s Foundation.
“By offering moments of joy and engagement, these programs play a vital role in improving the overall hospital experience for young patients.”
What the grant will be used for
The grant will be used to support the continuation of the Rocket Rounds program at the JHCH. The annual cost of running the program at JHCH is approximately $200,000, and funds are raised through community fundraising initiatives, donors, philanthropic grants, corporate partnerships and bequests.
Supporting important work, every single day
These four organisations are shining examples of the exceptionally important work that takes place by thousands of groups every single day in Australia.
These not-for-profit organisations provide such valuable support in communities, and we’re a richer place for it.
Esson says, “It’s humbling to read the stories of these organisations and the impact they have, and we’re delighted to be able to provide funds to extend the impact of programs in 2025.”
Learn more about the 2024 local grant recipients in the inclusion and climate change categories, or visit QBE Foundation to learn more about the work the Foundation does in the community.
1 Insights into Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review of Prevalence, Pathogenesis, and Psychological Consequences | The Open Dermatology Journal
2 Facts and figures | Cancer Council
3 Cancer survival and prevalence in Australia: period estimates from 1982 to 2010 Summary – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
4 Facts and figures | Cancer Council
