LAWYER CELEBRATED AT 2015 PHILANTHROPY AWARDS

A LAWYER from Coorparoo, a student from St Margaret's Anglican College, a senior vice president from Morgans Financial and Brisbane Airport Corporation were honoured at the Queensland Community Foundation's (QCF) 2015 Philanthropy Week Awards.

The awards were presented by the Honourable Shannon Fentiman, Minister for Communities who was among guests from Queensland's corporate and not-for-profit sectors gathered at the Hilton in Brisbane for the awards ceremony, part of Philanthropy Week from 15-19 June.

QCF Chairperson, Dr John de Groot, says the Philanthropy Awards recognises outstanding individuals and organisations that assist community, voluntary and charity groups in Queensland, with the winners chosen from over 25 nominees.

"We are delighted by the strong response and high calibre of nominations we have received for the 2015 Philanthropist of the Year Awards. This shows the spirit of giving among individuals and businesses in Queensland is very much alive and well," says Dr de Groot.

Rachael Taylor (pictured) of Coorparoo, vice president of the Women Lawyers Association Queensland, was recognised for her devotion to working with the Volunteer Refugee Tutoring and Community Support program to support refugees to gain skills and training.

Dr De Groot says Philanthropy Week is aimed at raising awareness about philanthropy, honouring those who make an outstanding contribution to the community and advancing support for the State's charities and community service organisations through sustainable giving.

"This is an opportunity to raise awareness about philanthropy and honour those who make an outstanding contribution to the community, including many who go unrecognised," he says.

Recipients of the Junior, Young and Community Philanthropist of the Year awards were presented with $2,000 to donate to a charity of their choice and the Corporate Philanthropist Award recipient will be acknowledged in QCF's corporate and promotional materials and at public presentations.

2015 Philanthropy Week award winners

Junior Award winner (Students from Years 7 12) Maria Cobain

St Margaret's Anglican College Year 11 student Maria Cobain has extensive work with volunteer groups like the Salvation Army and Meals on Wheels.

At just 17 years old, Ascot local Maria is using innovative ways to give back to her community, including helping run her school's participation in the 'Ponytail Project' which both raises funds for the Breast Cancer Awareness Fund and provides hair donations to Pantene Beautiful Lengths to make wigs for women going through chemotherapy.

Young Award winner (Individuals aged 18-30) Rachael Taylor

Rachael Taylor of Coorparoo, Vice President of the Women Lawyers Association Queensland, was recognised for her devotion to working with the Volunteer Refugee Tutoring and Community Support program to support refugees to gain skills and training.

Community Award winner (Individuals aged over 30) Susan Rallings

Brisbane city resident Ms Rallings, Senior Vice President at Morgans Financial has devoted countless hours to raising funds for domestic violence awareness and prevention.

Corporate Philanthropist Brisbane Airport Corporation

Brisbane Airport Corporation provides over $1 million each year to community charities from the state-wide Royal Flying Doctor Services to local initiatives like Harmony Place that provide grassroots services and support for culturally diverse communities.