Charities and Community

Legacy

Legacy is a voluntary organisation dedicated to caring for the families of veterans who have died or become incapacitated as a result of their military service. This includes veterans who have served in war, and on peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. 

Since 2011, we have raised over $250,000 for Legacy. We are deeply honoured to offer our support to the families of Australia’s Servicemen and Servicewomen. 

You can find out more and offer your support at www.legacy.com.au/DonateOnline

Kidney Health and the Kidney Kids Camps

Kidney Health Australia is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping people living with kidney disease, with a view to improving their health outcomes and quality of life as well as that of their families and carers. They develop and drive initiatives to ‘Prevent, Detect, and Support’, kidney disease – which is predicted to ultimately impact 1 in 3 Australians at some point of their life. Find out more and donate at www.kidney.org.au 

Each year the National Kidney Kids Camps provide vital support for about 100 children who are living with Kidney disease. The camps offer free care and respite for children aged 7-17 and their families. There are also Kidney Kids Capers and Young Adult Programs held in the major states. 

Through their participation in the annual Kidney Kar Rally, Downies has raised nearly $150,000 towards these Kids programs. Downies staff also participate in the annual Kidney Research Walk and the Kidney Health Golf Day as well as supporting other ad hoc events to support Kidney Health Australia.

Royal Children’s Hospital

The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) has been providing care for Victoria's children and their families for over 140 years. As the major specialist paediatric hospital in Victoria, the hospitals’ care extends to children from Tasmania, southern New South Wales, and other states around Australia and overseas. 

With a highly skilled team of almost 4,000, RCH provides clinical services, tertiary care and health promotion and prevention programs for children and young people. They are the designated state-wide major trauma centre for paediatrics in Victoria and a Nationally Funded Centre for cardiac and liver transplantation. Downies is a regular donor to the RCH Good Friday Appeal.

Melbourne Museum   

Downies has been proud to support The Melbourne Museum with a number of donations. This has included rare Australian gold sovereigns, ancient coins and commemorative medals.

War Graves

In 2016 Downies supported a local program to restore the damaged graves of soldiers lost in WWI.

Supporting the Long Term Unemployed

Since 2014 Downies has provided temporary employment opportunities to 26 long-term unemployed people. Four people have been offered ongoing employment by Downies, and 6 more people regularly support the company on a part time basis. 

In September 2015, Downies was recognised for their support of local community employment with an invitation to the official launch of the new Job Active program.

Local Community Groups

From helping Downies staff with their sporting commitments, to fundraising for the local Kindergarten, Downies is pleased to be involved in the local community, and the local communities of our team.

Environmental Care

Since 2012 the Downies office has been part of a green initiative with the aim of reducing our environmental footprint. 

When our office was updated, factors such as LED lighting, formaldehyde free desks, and other products certified by Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) were selected. Office stationery, and Money Magazine both use FSC approved paper. The office also has its own recycling, and waste reduction program. In 2015 The City of Whitehorse Council recognised Downies’ sustainable business practices with a Business and Innovation award.

RUOK? Day

Set up in 2009 in the hope of combatting suicide, RUOK? Day takes place on the second Thursday of September each year. Operating with the view that asking that one simple question, “Are you ok?” could indeed change a life for the better, it’s one of many initiatives we participate in at Downies.

Downies is also committed to Heads Up – a joint initiative between beyondblue and the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance.