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QBE Foundation, the charitable arm of Australia’s largest global insurer, donated $10,000 to the GO Foundation at Friday night’s annual Marn Grook match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), as part of its ongoing support for the indigenous community.
Marn Grook at the SCG is held annually and celebrates the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players to AFL, with Friday’s game between Sydney and Carlton marking the 17th year of the tribute match.
“As one of Australia’s largest insurers of Indigenous communities, we’ve long been committed to supporting and celebrating indigenous Australians,” said Bettina Pidcock, chair of the QBE Foundation, GO Foundation’s founding partner. “Our relationship with the Swans and GO means we can make meaningful contributions towards the education of indigenous youth and help inspire and provide opportunities.”
Michael O’Loughlin, former Swans great and GO Foundation co-founder, said the funds donated by QBE would support GO’s scholarship students.
“QBE’s donation will support the GO Foundation’s public-school scholarships and provide much needed resources and tools to our students,” O’Loughlin said. “Laptops, at-home, wi-fi, books, uniforms, excursions, school camps, musical instruments, sports equipment, coaching, and even food at the canteen, all become possible with GO public school scholarships.”
The Swans showed their support for the round by wearing indigenous-themed guernseys, designed by New South Wales artist Cheryl Davison.
Andrew Ireland, Sydney Swans CEO and managing director, lauded QBE’s contribution, which has been consistent since the Swans first competed in the Marn Grook round in 2002.
“QBE has been with us through every step of this journey and has a long history of also supporting the GO Foundation, our Marn Grook charity partner that empowers indigenous youth through education,” Ireland said.
