Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation has announced the appointment of Kurt Fearnley as a Non-Executive Director to its Board.
A Paralympic and Commonwealth gold medallist and seven-time world champion, Kurt is a respected disability advocate. He has experience participating on national and international advisory committees and councils, including as a member of the Australian Paralympic Committee Board.
Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Chair, Phil Neat said Kurt’s appointment followed a detailed consultation process and was part of a long-term vision for ensuring a sustainable governance model for the Charitable Foundation.
“Kurt is one of our country’s young leaders and brings an absolutely fresh perspective to the Charitable Foundation Board,” Phil said.
“He is a high achiever who has strong community ties to the Charitable Foundation’s grant giving footprint of Northern and Central West NSW.
“His achievements and knowledge are widely respected and sought after by governments and key advocacy groups.
“The foundation Board is confident his experience and passion will add valuable insight into helping us determine our grant recipients and, in turn, which programs we will support to address our strategic priorities of helping the disadvantaged, marginalised and isolated in our communities.”
Kurt said he was looking forward to being part of an organisation that supported regional NSW and where he believed he would add value and enable positive community change.
“I’ve witnessed first-hand the difference that a grant from the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation can make to people’s lives. I’m honoured to be part of its future strategic direction and the many positive initiatives it creates,” Kurt said.
“The projects funded by the Charitable Foundation are inspiring. I look forward to being directly involved in assisting more initiatives that will make a difference to the lives of people facing disadvantage, marginalisation, or isolation in regional NSW.”
Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation is governed by its own Board of Directors, comprising members of Newcastle Permanent Building Society’s Board of Directors and representatives of the community.
Kurt Fearnley joins other Charitable Foundation Directors Phil Neat (Chair), Julie Ainsworth, Jennifer Leslie, Mike Rabbitt and David Shanley.
IMAGE | Paralympic gold medallist Kurt Fearnley.
