Call for Australian donations to the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust
Established at the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust gives citizens and governments across the Commonwealth and beyond the opportunity to create a lasting tribute to Her Majesty.
Two initiatives will be funded through monies raised by the Trust. The first is to eradicate avoidable blindness in Commonwealth countries by focusing on trachoma, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. The second initiative will be to develop the status of young leaders across the Commonwealth through a leadership awards scheme.
In May 2012, the Prime Minister The Hon Julia Gillard appointed former Governor General Major General Michael Jeffery, AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd) to lead the nation’s fundraising efforts for The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust as Australia’s country representative.
The Australian Government has pledged up to $5 million to The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, as part of Australia’s commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee.
Major General Jeffery has also established the Diamond Jubilee Trust Australia, which will enable Australian contributors to make tax-deductible donations to the Trust from February to June 2013. Donations can be made online through the Trust’s website at www.jubileetrust.org.au.
Funds are being raised and applied globally, but the focus on avoidable blindness in particular remains relevant to our region, with trachoma continuing to be prevalent in some remote parts of Australia.
The Australian High Commission to Malaysia encourages Australians living abroad in Malaysia to consider making a donation to the Trust through www.jubileetrust.org.au.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s media release on The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust is available here.