Re:Think
Unprecedented times and elbow bumps As we watched the fireworks above the Yarra on New Year’s Eve in 2019, who’d have thought that 2020 would deliver such extraordinary events? It started in January 2020, when Australians were confronted by massive bushfires. No sooner had we doused the flames than COVID-19 was on our doorstep, with the unprecedented change the pandemic brought with it. Social distancing became the norm. Lockdowns and elbow bumps became a feature of everyday life, while our language changed to include new common terms like ‘pivot’, ‘zooming’ and ‘quarantinis’. It’s been a challenge, to be sure. Businesses have been impacted. Many of us struggled with social isolation and limitations on movement and in-person contact. We missed our family and friends. We juggled home-schooling. And while some work dried up, the demand for other services – like many of those we support – boomed, leaving many people with little downtime. But 2020 also demonstrated how innovative and flexible we can be. We learned new skills and adapted to a constantly-changing ‘new normal’ on the Corona-coaster. At Pressroom Partners, we responded to the challenges of the pandemic by increasing our community support under a new banner, Pressroom Philanthropy, with a primary focus on community support and innovation, music and the performing arts, homelessness and housing security. Erin Derkley and Sally McIntyre joined the team as Community Giving consultants and have spent the past few months researching and qualifying a variety of amazing not-for-profits in line with the Pressroom Philanthropy values of Family, Growth and Innovation.
Over the last few months, we have connected with a range of organisations who align with these values, to offer support in a variety of ways, be it monetary support, marketing assistance, networking connections and liaison, or general advice on ideas and direction. These include: • • • • • • • • •
Big Group Hug Derwent Valley Railway Chill Out and Look About 123Read2Me Girls Rock Melbourne! Helping Hoops Aardvark Music Community Music Victoria ENACT
2020 saw us spend time understanding the important work of each organisation that has joined the Pressroom family, and I can assure you they are all amazing, creating hope and opportunity and providing genuine and much-needed support in a wide variety of ways. We are proud to support every one of them and excited to see what they will achieve next year and beyond.
Phil Taylor CEO, Pressroom Philanthropy
It’s a great pleasure to introduce you to just some of these wonderful organisations on the following pages. You can read more about what we do at pressroomphilanthropy.com.au and I would encourage you to follow our progress as we look forward to bigger and better things ahead in 2021. Your Sincerely,
Phil Taylor, CEO Pressroom Philanthropy
Our Year In Review Pressroom Philanthropy | 3
