In what is known to be the largest philanthropic donation ever in Australia, Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest will donate A$65 million to higher education in Western Australia tomorrow.
This isn't the first time Twiggy has worn the charity hat, in fact, his foundation has donated approximately A$270 million since 2001
In what is known to be the largest philanthropic donation ever in Australia, Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest will donate A$65 million to higher education in Western Australia tomorrow.
This isn't the first time Twiggy has worn the charity hat, in fact, his foundation has donated approximately A$270 million since 2001.
Forrest Library - Donated to Hale School by Twiggy in 2009. (img: http://www.hale.wa.edu.au/)
Twiggy, who is known for his 'down to earth' approach to being a billionaire, is often seen getting his hands dirty on site, camping out in St Vincent de Paul Society CEO sleep-outs and generally giving back to society.
So how do his fellow magnates stack up in comparison?
Clive Palmer, who we all know too well, was hailed in 2008 for his promise to donate A$100m to medical research for Pilbara indigenous communities. It too was set to be the greatest act of philanthropy in Australia's history, but unfortunately, failed to come to fruition - yet.
He has indicated to 2GB's Ray Hadley that the donations are pending on an iron ore deal and also indicated that the donation was a legal requirement.
Gina Reinhart, Australia's richest. According to an interview in a Business Review Weekly from 2006, Gina prefers to keep a low profile in the field of philanthropy.
That being said, she is known for her work setting up the Australian-Cambodian anti-human trafficking NGO SISHA - but she has recently resigned as a result of reported financial mismanagement issues. And, she recently donated $50,000 to Barnaby Joyce's political campaign…
What are your views on mining's richest and their moral obligations to give back?
