Wilson Asset Management lends its support to drought and fire-affected communities

Media Releases, 19 November 2019

The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) welcomes the plans of Wilson Asset Management to raise up to $1 million for communities affected by drought and fire, announced today at its Sydney Shareholder Presentation.

The investment manager will match funds raised by Wilson Asset Management’s shareholders and supporters up to a combined $1 million, and directed to FRRR’s Disaster Resilience and Recovery Fund.

Natalie Egleton, FRRR CEO, said that the organisation was thrilled to have the support of Wilson Asset Management and its shareholders.

“I particularly want to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to Wilson Asset Management Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, Geoff Wilson AO and the team for their generosity.

“The effect of the bushfires and drought will not be the same in any two communities, so it’s critical that when the time is right, local leaders can access funds for whatever is most important to their community,” Ms Egleton continued.

“The challenge of raising funds locally for the things that keep a community going every day is amplified when the whole town is struggling. In addition, bushfires and drought take a toll on the volunteers that run the community groups, who are usually farming families or local business owners. So, everyone in these communities needs support. And that’s where FRRR comes in.

“FRRR makes grants to local not-for-profit groups that deliver activities and services that address the most pressing needs that locals identify. FRRR believes local leaders know what will make the most significant difference at times like these, so the grants programs are deliberately flexible.”

The Fund will be invested in perpetuity alongside FRRR’s corpus, with annual returns available to support locally-led preparedness initiatives and disaster recovery in rural, regional and remote communities.

Comments attributable to Wilson Asset Management Chairman and Chief Investment Officer Geoff Wilson AO –

“After we travelled to Toowoomba and then drove cross country to the Gold Coast at the beginning of our nationwide Shareholder Presentations last week, the reality of the devastation that is currently gripping rural and regional Australia became very real to us. The sunburnt grass and smoky haze presented a painful image of the suffering that so many Australians are currently enduring.

“Many of our more than 80,000 shareholders live and work in areas affected by these natural disasters or they are worried for their friends and families who do. Together, let’s raise $1 million and make a difference to people’s lives.”

Comments attributable to Wilson Asset Management Chief Executive Officer Kate Thorley – 

“When we saw and heard how our shareholders and their communities were affected by bushfires and drought, including my hometown of Toowoomba, we wanted to make a real difference.”

Read Wilson Asset Management’s full announcement here.

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Amy Crawford

Amy Crawford has an extensive career in complex public policy and its intersection across government and communities.

Amy is the Chief Executive Officer at the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), representing 537 councils across the nation. Amy holds over 20 years’ experience in the Australian Public Service. She has a deep understanding of federal government policies and structures, with over 10 years’ service in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and has worked for the federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories. Amy has shaped a wide range of policies and programs including regional development, telecommunications, immigration, emergency management, social policy and pandemic preparation.

Amy is a Board Director of Austroads and represents ALGA on the Public Skills Australia Industry Advisory Group, and the Australia-New Zealand Emergency Management Committee. She is also a Board Director for the Canberra Youth Theatre which provides voice for Canberra’s youth through intelligent and challenging theatre.

Amy holds a Bachelor of Laws (honours) and Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) from the University of Queensland, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an alumnus of the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership. Amy was appointed to the FRRR Board in January 2025.

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Kylie Hansen

Kylie brings leadership and management experience from across academic, corporate, not-for-profit, social enterprise and impact investment sectors, having deep dived into a myriad of specialisations and systems. Her six tertiary qualifications are equally as diverse and complimentary, covering commerce, politics, international development, community development, project management and law. Her breadth and depth of experience enables her to draw on a number of disciplines and innovative ways of working and thinking, and she is well recognised as consistently delivering work and services of a high quality.

Kylie uses her strong background in sustainability, governance and impact measurement to support collaborative initiatives across sectors oriented at improving social outcomes, and to support socially conscientious businesses to articulate their social impact. As founder and director at Impact Seed she has been instrumental in developing the impact measurement, evaluation, learning and ESG practice which advises numerous corporates, and is passionate about supporting First Nations empowerment particularly in the context of regional economic development.

Kylie is also a Director of the WA Social Enterprise Council, a member of the B Council (B Lab Australia and New Zealand), and a Governor of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

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Hon. John Anderson AC

The Hon. John Anderson AC is a sixth-generation farmer and grazier from NSW, who served in the Australian Parliament from 1989 to 2008.

He was a senior Cabinet minister in the government led by John Howard (1996 to 2005), including six years as Leader of the National Party and Deputy Prime Minister.

In the latter role, Mr Anderson played in important role in FRRR’s history, working closely with Baillieu Myer AC and others on a proposal to establish a philanthropic organisation to benefit rural Australia. The concept was discussed at the National Regional Summit in 1999 and FRRR was established shortly thereafter.

Mr Anderson currently hosts a regular podcast, where he is in conversation with thought-leaders from around the world, and is a regular media commentator.

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Regina Cruickshank

Partnerships Specialist (WA)

Regina supports FRRR as the WA Partnerships Specialist. With over two decades of experience in partnerships and marketing, she has a deep understanding of Western Australia’s social impact landscape. She brings a strong passion for leveraging purpose-built networks to create positive change.

Regina previously worked with Playgroup WA and founded a Health Promotion Charity dedicated to supporting Social Emotional wellbeing for underserved communities. She’s excited about the opportunity to connect with partners and explore ways to make a meaningful difference in WA.

She lives in Perth with her family and enjoys mindful moments of connection to Country, whether on horseback, on foot or underwater.

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Anna Palmer

People and Culture Manager

Based in Central Victoria, Anna is a senior Human Resources, Organisation Development and Industrial Relations professional, with significant private and public sector experience across every facet of people and culture leadership.

Her most recent roles have been with Don KR in Castlemaine and Mount Alexander Shire Council. She has also held senior HR roles with Victoria Legal Aid and the TAC among many others.

From Mildura originally, Anna has postgraduate qualifications in Change Management and a Masters in Organisation Dynamics.

Anna is currently completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts to balance her creative pursuits and work as an HR professional.

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Philippa Twaddle

Management Accountant

Carolyn joined the FRRR team in March 2017, and is responsible for providing executive support to the CEO, effective coordination of the FRRR office and general administrative support to the management team. A key responsibility is supporting the administration of FRRR’s Donation Account Services.

She has over fifteen years’ experience working in local government in the Tourism and Arts Sector, Civic and Event Management and Community engagement.

Carolyn has a Bachelor of Arts in Librarianship, majoring in psychology, and grew up on farming communities in Cohuna and Echuca and currently lives in Bendigo.