Corporate Australia supports ASF’s Sporting Oration

The success of the inaugural Prime Ministers’ Sporting Oration has been assured with nine foundation partners agreeing to support the dinner to be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 21st November.

The Oration, to be attended by 500 of Australia’s business leaders and key decision makers, will raise funds for the Australian Sports Foundation and instigate a high-level focus on the need to increase ongoing philanthropic and community investment in grassroots sport to drive societal change.

The four PMSO Cause Areas are Women & Girls in Sport; Diversity & Inclusion; Physical Activity; and Leadership & Decision Making.

The inaugural Oration speech will be delivered by Julia Gillard, Australia’s 27th Prime Minister.

Carsales, Spirit Energy, The Australian, Bendigo Bank, PwC Australia, ABC TV, Victoria University, Chocolate Studios and the Susan Alberti Medical Research Foundation have been secured as the initiative’s major backers, and are supported by 12 event and official partners and suppliers.

Organising Committee Chair, Campbell Rose, AM, said the response from corporate Australia to support the Oration and its underlying cause - grassroots sport - has been immense.

Rose advised “just over two weeks out from the Oration, we have filled all available levels of corporate partnerships, and attendance to dinner is fully subscribed. It has been a massive response.

“This level of support underlines and demonstrates that corporate Australia understands the vital role grassroots sport plays in communities across the length and breadth of our country, the positive impact sport has on our physical and mental health, the need to develop new leaders, and the promotion of inclusiveness regardless of age, gender, location or ethnicity.

“This tremendous response now lays the foundation for a broader discussion that needs to be had to provide a platform for change and policy through the common language of our country - sport.”

Australian Sports Foundation Chief Executive, Patrick Walker, said proceeds from the dinner will be distributed via a grant program to grassroots sport clubs and organisations in the first half of 2019.

Walker added “funds arising from the Oration will be targeted to deliver the biggest positive impact for grassroots sport, helping disadvantaged members of society and strengthening local communities.

 “Elite sports clubs and organisations do not exist it if were not for grassroots sport and it is one of our missions to ensure that girls and boys throughout Australia have the opportunity to play and enjoy healthy recreational athletic activity.”

For more information go to www.pmso.sportsfoundation.org.au