"we are having great success working collaboratively with business, community and schools to get the job done
The Beacon Foundation, established to develop innovative, effective solutions to youth unemployment, celebrated its 25th anniversary with a reception hosted by the Governor General, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Quentin Bryce.
Ms Bryce is the national patron of Beacon, and has attended a number of events that have included presentations by Chief Executive Scott Harris.
Held at Admiralty House, Sydney, those attending the reception included Komatsu Australia's Managing Director and CEO Sean Taylor, and National Marketing Manager, Wafaa Ghali.
Komatsu Australia has been a long-term supporter of Beacon and its aims, going back to 2000.
"This was a special occasion for Beacon and for our supporters, and we are extremely grateful to the Governor General for her ongoing patronage of the Beacon Foundation and her hospitality at the Admiralty House reception," said Scott Harris.
'It was a magnificent setting and a fitting tribute to the many people who have supported Beacon's journey so far.
"We have achieved so much, yet have so much more we want to do and it is the generous support from our sponsors and other supporters that helps us with our goals of putting every young Australian on a positive pathway post-schooling.
"It has not always been easy, but we are having great success working collaboratively with business, community and schools to get the job done."
Scott said that Beacon's recently released National Outcomes Report highlighted the results the organisation had been able to achieve.
The reception at Admiralty House followed a visit that Ms Bryce made to Beacon's headquarters in Hobart in 2011.
"The Governor-General's visit to Hobart in 2011 was an exciting time for Beacon, as she graciously met the Beacon head officeteam, and students of local schools," said Scott.
"Ally Gulliver-Davis was one of those students a Beacon Student Ambassador at the time from Geilston Bay High School who spoke about her personal journey and the impact Beacon had made on her.
"Ally's address had a lasting impression on the Governor General, who requested Ally's attendance when she agreed to host an event for 80 of Beacon's major supporters as acknowledgement of our 25th anniversary," he said.
Scott, Beacon Founder and Board chair Bill Lawson and Ally now an employee of Beacon met privately with Ms Bryce before she made her way around guests and gave an address acknowledging the work of Beacon.
Above left: Sean Taylor (Managing Director) & Ian MacCowan (Beacon Ambassador). Above right: Bill Lawson (Chairman of the Board - Beacon), Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Quentin Bryce (Governor-General) & Scott Harris (CEO, Beacon).