Community participation is an important part of our culture. We believe that philanthropy is not just the responsibility of the wealthy but that contributing to the wellbeing of others who are less fortunate is a responsibility we all share.

We participate in many different ways. We make direct donations to charities nominated by staff and shareholders, we positively encourage people to support their chosen charities via fund raising activities (matching their achievements dollar for dollar) and other times we support staff in their chosen volunteering efforts.

Unico Conservation Foundation Limited

Unico Conservation Foundation Limited is a non-profit company created in December 2009.

Unico Conservation Foundation Limited believes that philanthropy is not just the responsibility of the wealthy, but that contributing to the wellbeing of others who are less fortunate is a responsibility shared by all people in the community.

Unico Conservation Foundation Limited seeks to work with entities in developing countries on a partnership basis on locally based development projects in the areas of sustainable environment, income generation, self reliance and education and training.

Currently, Unico Conservation Foundation Limited is working with Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation Limited to encourage and promote sustainable utilisation and management of fisheries, coastal and marine resources in the Philippines and to ensure the sustainability of the Philippines’s marine ecosystem through implementation of any development projects that involve the local communities and organisations in the Philippines.

Fundraising and awareness events

“Around the bay in a day” - one of the world’s biggest and most popular cycling participation events. In 2006, more than 14,000 riders took on the challenge of riding “around the bay”, raising a record $440,000 (as of Feb 07) for The Smith Family. A team of 15 Unico employees took part, raising $2,000.

OXFAM Trailwalker -100 Km walk. Trailwalker involves a team of 4 people walking 100kms (from Jells Park, Wheelers Hill to Wesburn Park, Wesburn) in under 48 hours. This year, the Unico team raised $6,700 with their effort. Oxfam works with communities around the world for solutions to poverty and social injustice and responds to disasters around the world. http://www.oxfam.org.au

Image: Unico team members complete the 100km Oxfam Trailwalk

The Age Run to the “G” This year “The Age Run to the G” participants have the opportunity to help Oxfam Australia ‘Stamp out Poverty.’ Oxfam Australia is the nominated charity for the event and is encouraging all participants to raise vital funds for their project work, supporting people in developing communities around the world. Unico has participated in this event for the past 2 years.

Other organisations we support

Médecins Sans Frontières An independent humanitarian organisation providing medical aid around the world. www.msf.org

Seeing Eye Dogs Australia Gives the blind and vision impaired a chance to be independent members of the community. www.seda.org.au

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Services A primary health care service managed by the local Aboriginal community for the Aboriginal people of ACT and surrounding areas in NSW. www.winnunga.org.au

The Salvation Army Provides a wide range of services to those in need in the Australian community. www.salvos.org.au

Opportunity International Opportunity International provides Microfinance and enterprise development which empowers the working poor to build their own futures and become agents of social change in their communities. www.opportunity.org.au

Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation Protection and management of the marine environment is the central focus of the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (formerly Sulu Fund). It strives to help conserve and manage coral reef ecosystems and other coastal ecosystems and resources while promoting sustainable uses for the benefit of people throughout time. It promotes leadership for improved coastal resource management through education, information exchange and learning by implementing field programs in partnership with local resource stakeholders. www.coast.ph

Chamber Music Australia: Asia-Pacific Chamber Music Competition (APCMC)

Run every four years, the APCMC is open to the best young piano trios and string quartets from the Asia-Pacific region. Beyond simply providing an exciting contest and celebration of music, the competition serves to set the bar for excellence, furthering the professional advancement of talented young musicians.

www.chambermusicaustralia.com.au

Volunteering

Where our people wish to do volunteer work, we try and support them in the most effective way possible. In the past this has been by assisting with accommodation cost, specialist equipment or in-kind support.