Fundraisers and profile builders

FPA on the golf course

On the links in Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne during March, FPA Chapter members put their clubs to good use with charity golf days in support of Future2, raising $200, $400 and $1100 respectively. In Perth, almost $400 was raised via a raffle and awareness of Future2 took another step up, thanks to words from Hazel Ruby, our WA ambassador. Meanwhile, in Melbourne (5 Mar) newly appointed Future2 ambassador Hari Maragos whipped up a cool $1,100 in a morning, raffling wine donated by Edgecombe Wines at the Millthorpe Railway Station Cellar Door http://www.tasteorange.com.au/millthorpe.htm , near Orange. The winners were:

• 1st prize (3 bottles – Cab Merlot x 1; Chardonnay x 1; Tawny Port x 1) Des Shady
• 2nd Prize (2 bottles – Riesling x 1; Tawny Port x 1) Harry New
• 3rd Prize (1 bottle – Voignier x 1) Kim Hoff

AMP Horizons Academy

The 15th intake of students at the AMP Horizons Academy continued the now ‘traditional’ Future2 fundraising evening towards the end of their 10 week intensive course in December. This group of 20 or so young financial planners raised over $10,000 from Trivia Night ticket sales, an auction and a raffle – augmented by sales of banana bread by one keen cook over the duration of the course. With anticipated matching funding from AMP Foundation, Future2 will receive $20,000. Fantastic result, guys!

PSK Financial Services

showcases Future2 to clients

FRANS is a Sydney Inner West disability support organisation and Future2 grant recipient. Inspired by a presentation by two young FRANS clients, PSK Chief Executive Paul Aspros invited them and Future2 to address a PSK client seminar on 23 November in Sydney.

Tom and Tara told of the transformative effect that FRANS had on their lives as young Downs Syndrome sufferers. Both now aged 24 years, they hold down full time jobs and, with the help of the Future2-funded financial literacy program, can look forward to living independently of their families for the first time.

PSK donated $10 for every one of the 250 clients who attended the seminar, and matched donations made by both clients and PSK staff - resulting in a total donation of more than $11,000 - a spectacular result that speaks volumes for the compassion and generosity of PSK, its clients and staff.

A cheque will be presented to Future2 by PSK Financial Services on 12 December in Sydney.

WA Melbourne Cup fundraiser

- a winner for Future2

The hats, dresses and fine suits were out in force as the WA financial planning industry celebrated Melbourne Cup day 2011 in style at the Burswood marque ballroom with the event raising over $15,000 for the Future 2.

Over 220 guests contributed to the party atmosphere as the who’s who of the local industry ate, drank and donated generously to a worthy cause well into the afternoon. The event was attended by industry bodies, financial advisers, product manufacturers and licensee managers. After two years in operation the event continues to grow and expand making it the event to be at on Melbourne Cup day.

Many thanks go the organising committee led by Hazel Ruby, Future2 Ambassador and to Dean Gilkison.

Financial planners give over $11,500

at FPA Conference

For the fourth year, Future2 was the charity of choice at the Financial Planning Association National Conference. Support from delegates and sponsors of the expo, resulted in donations of over $11,500.

In addition, a FPA Professionals’ dinner held on the night before the conference opened, raised approximately $15,000. Sponsorship by IRESS enabled the whole of the ticket price to flow through to Future2.

Our special thanks go to Matthew Rowe, FPA Chair, for his initiative on behalf of Future2; similar dinners through the year have resulted substantial donations to us, helping fund our grants to community projects.

Melbourne Grand Final lunch

- a spectacular success

The FPA Melbourne Chapter has again kicked a goal following their hugely successful 2011 Grand Final Lunch on 26 September. Feature packed, this was the event's 14th consecutive year , to a sell-out crowd. A raffle raised over $5,800 for Future2 - a great result!

With the return of key football icons and luminaries Tim Watson and Billy Brownless, a crowd of 735 financial planners and industry participants returned to Etihad Stadium to be entertained by panel discussion as well as radio station 3LO's Greg Champion from the long running Coodabeen Champions radio show. Up on stage and speaking their mind were former Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade as well as Carlton’s mid-fielder Marc Murphy who has since been awarded the AFL Coaches' Award for 2011 as well as The Age Player of the Year award.

FPA Chair's dinners

In Adelaide on 7 February 2011 nearly 120 FPA members joined Matthew Rowe, FPA Chair and Future2 trustee, for the first of a series of six FPA Professionals’ dinners. Each dinner guest made a donation to Future2, raising over $7425 which the foundation will commit to its grants program supporting grassroots charities working with disadvantaged young Australians.

The work of Future2 was brought to life that evening by Karolina Carr, a young woman whose life had been transformed by the support provided by Time for Kids, a local charity and beneficiary of a Future2 Make the Difference! Grant in 2009.

“I believe passionately that support for, and engagement with, Future2 is central to the vision of the new FPA” Rowe wrote to members in his invitation. “Our support for Future2 is one of the things that will help elevate financial planning to a universally respected profession, inspiring the trust and confidence of the community”, he said.

At the Melbourne dinner in April Future2 Grant recipient, Whitelion, spoke about its work with young offenders and those at risk of youth detention, though mentoring and employment programs.

In Sydney, 2010 grant recipient FRANS (Family Resource and Network Support), a disability support organisation in Croydon spoke to FPA members. Tom and Tara, two young participants in FRANS' independent living program, spoke movingly of what it had done for them.

Future2 joins Minister Shorten at Rotary

Future2 joined the Rotary Club of Strathmore at the Moonee Valley Racing Club to host a Breakfast with The Hon. Bill Shorten, Minister for Financial Services & Superannuation in April. There were almost 200 guests there, including many Melbourne based financial planners and financial services personnel, keen to hear what the Minister had to say about the government’s proposed changes to superannuation and other items under his jurisdiction.

Future2 Foundation Trustee David Haintz made a short presentation on the work of the Foundation. The Rotary Club will make a donation of $2,500 to the Foundation shortly as part of the proceeds from the day.

$10,000 grant to FARA

On 9 February at the AFA GenX Roadshow in Sydney, Future2 and AFA Foundation presented a joint grant of $10,000 to FARA. Two specially designed and built wheelchairs will give Jamie-Lee and Samantha Dwyer the freedom to enjoy life like other independent young women.

Click for the media release.

FPA National Conferences

At the 2010 Conference, $14,500 was raised: $10,000 from donations from delegates and the remainder from exhibitors.

At the three preceeding conferences over $52,000 was raised via a combination of individual donations, charity golf days, sale of raffle tickets and Future2 supporter badges and contributions from exhibitors at the Trade Expos.

FPA Chapter events

Financial Planning Association Chapters across the country have contributed greatly to Future2 funds. Mid North Coast and ACT have held end-of-year member meetings and Christmas celebrations. During 2009 the Melbourne, Sydney and WA Chapters each raised funds for Future2 at their annual golf events. Melbourne Chapter has twice raised over $3,500 for Future2 at its AFL Grand Final. The Sydney and Perth Chapters have each held successful fundraising dinners.

'Tree of life' debuts at 2010 AMP Convention

A Future2 ‘tree of life’ ended the three day AMP and Hillross annual Convention (Melbourne 19-21 January 2010) covered with leaves, each one the commitment of a financial planner to support Future2. Their contributions totalled $18,900. Inspired by words from AMP director and Future2 Chair Steve Helmich the planners placed their commitments in the form of leaves onto the ‘tree’ in the conference forum.

“Each leaf is a commitment by a planner to support Future2 and, through the foundation, to make a difference to disadvantaged young Australians”, Mr Helmich said. “It was a call to action, underlining the responsibility we all have to help those less fortunate than we are. The message struck a chord and we are delighted with the response.”

Future2 donation trees are available for use by organisations who would like to raise funds for us.
Email for details.