Greg Johnson

Queensland rescue helicopter service will benefit from the River2Reef charity ride for a third year, explains Greg Johnson. Queensland rescue helicopter service will benefit from the River2Reef charity ride for a third year, explains Greg Johnson. RACQ CQ Rescue has been named as the recipient charity for the River2Reef charity bike ride for a third consecutive year. The 2013 event, which is part of Mackay’s River2Reef festival, will take place on Saturday, October 5. A total of $23,500 was donated to the rescue helicopter from last year’s event. Some 1,100 participants took part in last year’s event and organisers are hoping to best that record later this year. RACQ CQ Rescue is…

The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission’s doors are now open, reports Greg Johnson. The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission’s doors are now open, reports Greg Johnson. The new Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) is open for business, having officially commenced operation on Monday. A formal function will be held on December 10 to celebrate the new regulator’s launch and cabinet has recommended to governor general Quentin Bryce AC CVO that interim commissioner Susan Pascoe AM be appointed as the ACNC’s inaugural commissioner. “We are committed to red tape reduction and will work with other government agencies to achieve this,” declared Pascoe. “As a regulator, we are committed to finding the…

A court victory for the New Zealand arm of Greenpeace could see its charitable status restored, explains Greg Johnson. A court victory for the New Zealand arm of Greenpeace could see its charitable status restored, explains Greg Johnson. A ruling by New Zealand’s Court of Appeal will see Greenpeace New Zealand’s charitable status reconsidered. The court set aside a 2010 ruling by New Zealand’s Charities Commission, which has since been disbanded, that Greenpeace’s activities around nuclear disarmament were political and not strictly charitable. New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs and Charities Registration Board will now reconsider the organisation’s charitable status. Greenpeace NZ’s executive director Bunny McDiarmid was pleased with the court’s…

A new event in Sydney is expected to test just how much community fundraisers will bare for a cause, explains Greg Johnson. A new event in Sydney is expected to test just how much community fundraisers will bare for a cause, explains Greg Johnson. A new event is set to get community fundraisers in their finest birthday suit and swim in Sydney Harbour for a cause, with the announcement of the first Sydney Skinny to be held in February. The 900 metre swim at Cobblers Beach will raise funds towards a $1.5 million walkway project at Middle Headland National Park. The event is the brainchild of Nigel Marsh, the former boss…

An online auction of The Wiggles’ famed car will raise funds for SIDS and Kids, writes the yellow-skivvied Wiggle’s namesake Greg Johnson. An online auction of The Wiggles’ famed car will raise funds for SIDS and Kids, writes the yellow-skivvied Wiggle’s namesake Greg Johnson. SIDS and Kids will benefit from a unique online auction this month, with The Wiggles’ Big Red Car being auctioned off to raise funds for the organisation. With three of the four original Wiggles preparing to hang up their skivvies, the crew’s Volkswagen Beetle will go under the hammer on auction website eBay, starting this Friday. True to form, the Big Red Car’s auction listing is light-hearted:…

It’s been a mixed month for fundraising events, with some high-profile declines in fundraising income, reports Greg Johnson. It’s been a mixed month for fundraising events, with some high-profile declines in fundraising income, reports Greg Johnson. Australian participants in the Movember juggernaut have raised $21.9 million* to date, with the event looking to beat the total of $29.6 million raised here by participants last year. With the event officially concluding just two days ago, funds will continue to trickle in over coming weeks and months. Participation was slightly up, with 143,865 Aussies signing on to be Mo-Bros or Mo-Sistas – up from 142,084 in 2011. Overall, the event internationally has raised $107 million* to date and…

A survey by the Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA) has revealed the top five worries for the nation’s fundraisers. Greg Johnson adds some perspective to the areas keeping fundraisers up at night. A survey by the Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA) has revealed the top five worries for the nation’s fundraisers. Greg Johnson adds some perspective to the areas keeping fundraisers up at night. A recent survey by Fundraising Institute Australia canvassed the sector for its thoughts and feedback on a wide range of issues, including what worries and challenges were facing Australian fundraisers. Results released this week from the Australian Fundraisers Survey show that five core areas are on the minds of our…