The Benevolent Society, founded by Edward Smith Hall in 1813, is Australia's first charity. It is an independent, non-religious, non-profit organisation which aims to help people overcome the barriers preventing them from participating fully in society. Many of today's essential social services in Australia were pioneered by The Benevolent Society and since its earliest days it has advocated for progressive, positive social change.
The organisation delivers 145 services from 63 locations across NSW, Queensland, Victoria and the Northern Territories. It has a staff of 900, plus a volunteer force of about 800 people, who work together to support more than 41,000 people each year. More than 700 people and 200 organisations participate in the Benevolent Society's community development projects and more than 500 people from business, government and non-profit organisations have taken part in their Social Leadership Australia programs. The current CEO is Anne Hollonds, and the President is Sam Weiss
The Benevolent Society has a strong track record of pioneering social welfare reform over the past 200 years, and this legacy informs their work today
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In 2013 The Benevolent Society will celebrate 200 years of bringing about lasting social change in Australia through building strong families and healthy communities. To operate successfully for 200 years is a landmark for any organisation but for a charity, it is perhaps even more significant considering non-profit organisations depend on the goodwill and support of individuals, the business community and government for their ongoing existence.
Celebrating 200 years of service will involve a range of activities throughout the year, and will provide an opportunity to educate and advocate, prompt debate, celebrate our past and inspire a powerful vision for the future.
The Benevolent Society meets the specific needs of individual people through direct support services, and also works with whole communities, connecting people across gender, age and cultural divides to create a renewed sense of optimism and belonging. Their programs and services are broadly grouped under five core areas of expertise:
Social Leadership Australia (SLA) established by The Benevolent Society in 1998, designs and delivers a suite of leadership development programs that develop the capacity of individuals, organisations and communities to create lasting, positive change on entrenched issues. They offer three open programs for individuals including Sydney Leadership, Queensland Leadership and a four day Introduction to Adaptive Leadership intensive. They also work with organisations to develop and deliver customised programs to build internal leadership capacity. All their programs are based on an Adaptive Leadership approach developed by Professor Ron Heifetz at Harvard University. Adaptive leadership is about addressing systemic issues and is based on the understanding that any leader seeking to change others must also be prepared to change themselves.
On 8 May 1813 Edward Smith Hall, with five other gentlemen formed what was initially known as ‘the New South Wales Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge and Benevolence’ – the first organisation dedicated to doing universal good in Australia, and the humble beginnings of the organisation today known as The Benevolent Society.
Edward Smith Hall also helped establish the Bank of New South Wales - Australia’s first bank, founded in 1816, now known as Westpac; and its first non-government newspaper, “The Monitor”, first published in 1826.
Below are a few of the Benevolent Society's many achievements. See The Benevolent Society's website at www.bensoc.org.au for a complete list.