Making A World of Difference

Sigrid Thornton, program ambassador and Blanche Danastas, 2008 winner at the Vodafone Australia Foundation World of Difference welcome workshop in Sydney in April, 2008.

Marine biologist and conservationist Blanche Danastas founded Marine Wildlife Australia as part of her work with North Queensland Conservation Council as a volunteer.  Recently, Miss Danastas was awarded a much sought after position in the Vodafone Australia Foundation ‘World of Difference Program’, which has enabled her to move from a long term volunteer into a full time paid position as program manager of the Marine Wildlife Australia.

Blanche will be working to bring attention to the plight of charismatic marine wildlife such Australia’s only native dolphin, the Australian Snubfin dolphin, which are especially prone to harm from pollution & habitat destruction.

With 85% of Australians living along the coastline, there is extreme pressure placed on coastal ecosystems and marine wildlife.  Growing pollution and habitat destruction means localised extinctions are on the agenda for many species. By engaging the public and connecting them to our marine wildlife, we can raise awareness of threats and build community capacity by teaching everyday people how be a conservationist.  This will empower people to join in a concerted voice to influence decision makers to sustainably manage our valuable coastal ecosystems.

The Vodafone Australia Foundation ‘World of Difference’ Program provides up to four awardees the opportunity to give up their day job and utilise their knowledge, skills and passion to do beautiful deeds with their favourite charity.  The program is the only one of its kind in the world which provides up to $75 000 worth of salary and expenses to facilitate the awardees role with their chosen charity.
Along with Blanche, three other Australians were selected by a team of judges, including program ambassador and Australian actress Sigrid Thornton, from hundreds of applicants across Australia.

The other winners include:

Anne Johnson, 52 from Penola SA, has worked as an Associate Professor of Public Health at Flinders University for the past seven years. Anne has been volunteering with KidSafe for the past 15 years and will now spend the next year working with the organisation full-time. KidSafe is a non-government organisation devoted to the prevention of unintentional death and injury to Australian children.

Peter Cossey, 28, from Marrickville NSW, will spend the year working for non-profit organisation CuriousWorks, to help them implement their project ‘All Around You’. The project aims to discover unknown and emerging Australian artists in regional and under resourced areas and trains them to become skilled creators of innovative media.

Liz Muir, 32 from Windsor VIC, an advertising executive at The Age and freelance copywriter will spend the year working for SecondBite, an organisation that collects fresh surplus food from Melbourne food outlets and uses it to create nutritious meals for those in need. Liz aims to use her communication, organisation and influencing skills to contribute to the success of this organisation.

According to Ramana James, Head of the Vodafone Australia Foundation, the final four successful applicants stood out from the hundreds of applications received.

2008 Vodafone Australia Foundation World of Difference Program winners with program ambassador Sigrid Thornton. Clockwise from back left – Anne Johnson (SA), Blanche Danastas (QLD), Peter Cossey (NSW), Sigrid Thornton, and Liz Muir (VIC).

“Since the application period for the program opened in January this year, we were flooded with applications from every state in Australia. Every single application was considered and evaluated carefully with the help of program ambassador Sigrid Thornton and our panel of judges,” Ramana said.  “We’re constantly amazed by the passion, drive and determination of our successful applicants. Year-after-year we are astounded by what people can achieve for the greater good, once we alleviate the immediate pressures that virtually everyone faces in working to pay the rent or mortgage and bills.”

“Deciding on the final four was always going to be difficult but I’m confident Peter, Anne, Blanche and Liz will put their heart and soul into their chosen cause and community organisations and will truly make the world of difference.”

2008 World of Difference ambassador Sigrid Thornton said, “Anne, Peter, Blanche and Liz all have such diverse backgrounds and skill sets but each has been personally touched by the work of their chosen community organisations. I’m positive their passion and drive will make the year a success and I warmly congratulate these four amazing individuals.”

Over the past five years, the Vodafone Australia Foundation World of Difference program has helped countless people. Fifteen ordinary Australians have had the opportunity to change their lives in an extraordinary way, committing over 27,300 hours to a variety of causes, without worrying about financial pressures that can often constrain community investment work.

About Vodafone Australia Foundation

The Vodafone Australia Foundation is a charitable trust funded by Vodafone Australia and Vodafone Group Foundation. In line with Vodafone’s core value of ‘passion for the world around us’, the foundation supports local charities and non profit organisations. The Vodafone Australia Foundation also creates opportunities for Vodafone staff to contribute to the community, an initiative encouraged by Vodafone Australia.