Media Release

THE three people responsible for the creation of ourcommunity.com.au, an online resource for Australia's 700,000 community and non-profit groups have all been recognised with Centenary of Foundation Medals.

The medals were awarded to those living people considered to have made a contribution to Australian society or Government.

The three Our Community founders to receive medals were:

• Chief Executive Officer Rhonda Galbally AO who was recognised for service to the community. Rhonda has been involved with community organisations for more than 30 years She has also served as founding CEO of the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), founding CEO of the Commission for the Future, founding CEO of the Australian International Health Institute, Executive Director of the Myer Foundation and Sidney Myer Fund and Chair of the Australian Association of Philanthropy (now Philanthropy Australia). Rhonda was previously awarded an Order of Australia in 1991 for her contribution to community.

• Chairman Carol Schwartz who was recognised for outstanding service as a leading business executive and committee participant. Carol is General Manager of the Sussan Property Group and a director of the Docklands Authority, The Sussan Corporation and Heat Group. Carol previously served as National President of the Property Council of Australia, Chairman of the Old Treasury Museum and as a member of the Federal Government's New Tax System Advisory Board. She is a council member of the National Gallery of Australia.

• Chief Operating Officer and co-founder Denis Moriarty who was recognised for his work in establishing Our Community and developing public liability cover for not-for-profit organisations. A former deputy CEO of Tourism Victoria and director of management consultancy firm Strategic Australia, Denis is a graduate of the Vincent Fairfax Ethics in Leadership Awards and a graduate of the Williamson Community Leadership program. Denis worked closely with the Municipal Association of Victoria, insurance broker Jardine Lloyd Thomson of the Community Groups Insurance Scheme for non-profit groups in Victoria and Tasmania.

The ourcommunity.com.au website features free and low-cost newsletters, resources and help sheets to assist groups with fundraising, leadership, management expertise, risk management and insurance and a free online donations service for community groups.

Our Community CEO Rhonda Galbally said it was a wonderful honour to receive the medals and the award was recognition of Our Community as an initiative that had provided community groups with valuable and practical support to help them continue their work.

"What is more important is the response we have had from community groups, particularly smaller community organisations that have found our website and our newsletters helpful in finding funding or running their groups," Ms Galbally said.

"Community groups need support and a voice. We have a great community sector in Australia but it needs help, support - and most importantly - a voice."