Summary
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- $300,000 to the South Australian Government’s Bushfire Appeal, which is raising funds for people directly affected by bushfires in Cudlee Creek and on Kangaroo Island.
- $50,000 to Adelaide Koala Rescue, which has established an emergency triage facility for injured koalas and is also assisting with other wildlife, having recruited a team of more than 80 veterinarians and vet nurses, and over 150 volunteers in total.
- $250,000 to Lifeline Australia’s Community Recovery Program, focused on crisis support services to reduce trauma and stress in bushfire-affected communities as well as longer-term recovery through assisting to rebuild key community networks and support structures.
Santos Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Gallagher said that as a proudly Australian company that has worked in partnership with local communities for over 65 years, providing jobs and business opportunities, and safely and sustainably developing Australia’s natural gas resources, it’s important to lend a hand in times of need.
“The Santos Tour Down Under includes race routes travelling near impacted areas in the Adelaide Hills and we encourage people to get out and support these communities who are doing it tough right now and will really benefit from visitor spending in their towns,” Mr Gallagher said.
“There is an enormous rebuilding task in communities across Australia where people are struggling with loss of life, property, stock, livelihoods and the richness of their natural environments due to these devastating bushfires. We want to play our part in helping them rebuild and recover.
“Lifeline is currently experiencing unprecedented demand for its services and the funding provided by Santos will enable it to put more resources on the ground in bushfire-affected communities around Australia to ensure mental health support services are available on the long road to recovery.
“Santos will also support our staff who are on the ground battling bushfires and contributing to the relief efforts, providing paid leave to any of our CFS volunteers and supporting our Defence Force Reservists called on for assistance.
“And, in the many regional communities around Australia where we already make our resources and infrastructure available to assist with emergency management, we will work with experts and authorities to identify any further assistance we can provide in times of crisis.
“Our thoughts are with all the people and communities affected by this devastating natural disaster.”
Santos is also launching a staff appeal and will match donations dollar for dollar.
“There is an enormous rebuilding task in communities across Australia where people are struggling with loss of life, property, stock, livelihoods and the richness of their natural environments due to these devastating bushfires. We want to play our part in helping them rebuild and recover."
