Society

Amazon Australia has opened its newest Disaster Relief Hub in Perth, providing a permanent store of essential supplies that can be delivered quickly and efficiently to those affected by natural disasters in Western Australia. The new Perth Disaster Relief Hub is the fourth in a network that spans the country, with other hubs in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. 

A 12-year-old Dutch/Nepali rapper and his younger sister have launched a fundraising campaign and benefit concert in Amsterdam to help two children’s homes in Nepal. The final concert will take place on Easter Monday, April 10, 2023, in collaboration with theater City of Wesopa in Weesp. Smaller events will be held leading up to this. On February 1, Dharan and Avana Rimal began this fundraising campaign and will continue with hosting pop-up shows at various places in Weesp and Amsterdam between February 1 and April 10.

The American Australian Association, founded by Sir Keith Murdoch in 1948, launched the next era of the Association by opening a new headquarters in New York City. Named the American Australian Association Murdoch Center, it will serve as a meeting place for Americans and Australians to collaborate in pursuit of strong ties between their two nations.

Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) announced Karen Mundine, CEO of Reconciliation Australia as the 2023 National Award recipient of the Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership. This award celebrates exceptional Aussie women who pioneer change and make important contributions to advancing equity across all facets of our society.

The BlinkNow Foundation Board of Directors has appointed Leslie Shaw as its 2023 Board Chair. Shaw will provide key leadership and support to the organization as it grows its impact serving children and women in Nepal. This new role is a natural transition and outlet for her expertise and immense passion for the BlinkNow mission and the people it serves.

Rimini Street, Inc., a global provider of enterprise software products and services, the third-party support provider for Oracle and SAP software products, and a Salesforce partner, announced that it has selected Tokyo to host this year’s $50,000 RMNI LOVE Grant Program, Rimini Street’s charitable program that provides financial contributions and promotion assistance to charities and firms that align with the its values and mission.

The Federal Govt is planning its 2023-24 Migration Program, and has sought submissions from the public on the ideal size and composition of its intake from July. Research reveals that 84% of Aussies support this year’s boost in immigration numbers, largely due to the economic benefits. Since the program, job vacancies in Australia have dropped from 480,000 in May – more than double the 277,000 vacancies in Feb. 2020 – to 444,200 in Nov. 2022.

Home ownership will become a reality for vulnerable people, thanks to the generosity of The Snow Foundation, which has provided Head Start Homes with a grant of $200,000 over the next two years. Head Start Homes Founder and Managing Director, Stephen Woodlands, said the funds would go towards supporting clients on their home ownership journey. 

Full Stop Australia has welcomed the Albanese Government’s draft legislation that will make long overdue reforms to the family law system to protect children and victims of family violence. The presumption of shared parental responsibility led to serious abuse in the system because perpetrators were able to game the system and manipulate traumatised families.

American Express, principal partner of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and Sydney WorldPride 2023, has teamed up with Brisbane pop duo, Lisa Origliasso (she/her) and Jessica Origliasso (she/her) from The Veronicas to launch an initiative, With You &Proud. It celebrates champions within the LGBTQIA+ community and their supporters who proudly back them.