Selflessly contributing to society

MICHAEL Chaney’s philanthropy rated highly in a recent survey undertaken by WA Business News. 

Mr Chaney’s contribution to the area of philanthropy is immense. He has led Wesfarmers to significant corporate success, and has contributed substantial company and personal resources to numerous causes.

He has been outspoken on the value that philanthropy adds to a company. Wesfarmers generally contributes to six areas – rural, arts, Indigenous advancement, medical, educational and community groups.

Wesfarmers contributes more than $2.6 million annually through its philanthropy program.

PASSIONATE about the arts, Janet Holmes a Court devotes significant amounts of her time and resources to furthering arts in the community.

Ms Holmes a Court chairs the boards of the WA Symphony Orchestra, the Black Swan Theatre Company and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.

She was awarded an AO in 1995 for services to business, the arts and the community, an award for outstanding long-term commitment to the arts in the 1999 State Arts Sponsorship Scheme Awards, and Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) Business Leader of the Year 2003.

BILL Wyllie and his wife Rhonda have contributed significant resources to the organisation that helped his family when he was young, The Salvation Army.

The contributions the Wyllies have made include: $1.5 million for Crossroads West youth support program; a contribution to the Warrina care and treatment facility for Alzheimers, $500,000 to the Lion’s Eye Institute, $300,000 to The Speech and Hearing Association; $350,000 for new headquarters for the Arthritis Foundation; and $250,000 to establish a chair of Urology at UWA. Mr Wyllie also provides organisations with his valuable business acumen.