Australian of the Year, Simon McKeon discusses philanthropy and the arts with the Western Sydney business sector
In September, Artsupport Australia’s NSW Manager Caroline Vu hosted a conversation about philanthropy and the arts in the Western Sydney business sector.
Caroline partnered with one of Western Sydney’s most prominent business networks, the Western Sydney Business Connection to host Australian of the Year, Simon McKeon. Simon is an Executive Chairman of Macquarie Group, Chair of the CSIRO but in fact received the prestigious accolade of Australian of the Year on the basis of his philanthropy.
Simon addressed an audience of over 170 from the region’s business community about the importance of individual and corporate charitable giving, and called on business leaders to lead by example in supporting the not for profit sector. Caroline used her introduction to Simon to talk about the role of the arts in society and in Western Sydney in particular.
The Western Sydney arts sector was there in force with representatives from Information & Cultural Exchange (ICE), Urban Theatre Projects, Parramasala and Campbelltown Arts Centre, as well as Arts NSW and the Australia Council. Leaders in the Western Sydney business sector were also in attendance, including Alcoa Australia, Veolia and Sydney Water.
Published: 16 November 2011