Melbourne Airport is turning trash into treasure to supply community grants

Melbourne, Australia - December 10, 2016: Melbourne airport check-in zone
Edited by Travel Weekly


    Melbourne Airport has launched a new community fund that will see the north and west of the city benefit from forgetful travellers.

    Each year thousands of items are left in the airport terminals and those that remain unclaimed are auctioned off.

    The funds will now be used to establish the Melbourne Airport Community Giving Fund, with an initial $50,000 to support local initiatives.

    The program formally launches on Monday the 2nd of October and provides grants of up to $2000 to successful applicants to help fund expenses, associated with community projects, such as uniforms, transport, community kitchens and libraries.

    “Every year millions of passengers pass through Melbourne Airport, and some leave behind items, that despite best efforts, will never be reunited with their owner,” chief of aviation, Melbourne Airport, Jim Parashos, said.

    “We’re delighted to be able to give the proceeds we’ve raised from the sale of those items back to our local community.

    “Whether it’s an art class needing supplies, a sports club updating uniforms or a gardening club looking for seedlings, these grants aim to ease the financial burden on smaller organisations.

    “Melbourne Airport tries very hard to reunite every passenger with their belongings but sometimes that’s not possible, and we’re happy that items collecting dust at the airport will now support the quality community programs running in our area.”

    The fund is open to community groups in suburbs directly surrounding the airport, with applications open from Monday the 2nd of October through the Melbourne Airport website.

    Successful applicants will be contacted by Melbourne Airport once they have been assessed.

    Latest News

    • Cruise

    P&O rescues Rotary volunteers after collapse of Air Vanuatu

    P&O Cruises Australia has answered a plea for help from a group of young Australian Rotary volunteers, stranded in Vanuatu following the collapse of Air Vanuatu. The students, many of them teenagers from Albury, NSW, were volunteering for a youth project run by the Hive Rotary Club Australia when the airline abruptly cancelled all flights, […]

    • Destinations

    Intrepid continues expansions with launch of first DMC in Jordan

    Intrepid has increased its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first destination management company in Jordan. Based in Amman, the local team will operate Intrepid’s range of nine experiential small group tours in Jordan from this summer, with a view to expanding the range for 2025 and beyond. Zina Bencheikh, managing […]

    • Appointments

    Minor hotels appoints Puneet Dhawan to key Asia role

    Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has appointed Puneet Dhawan as head of Asia as the group plots its growth in Asia and India. From July, Dhawan will be responsible for the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia, working in close collaboration with the Minor Hotels senior leadership team and will report […]

    • Appointments

    Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal appoint Evon Ler to director of sales, Asia

    Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group have announced that Evon Ler will join them in the new role of director of sales, Asia. She will work closely with Tony Archbold (VP, Sales, APAC, Crystal) and Susan Haberle (VP, Sales & Partnerships, APAC, A&K) with trade support across the region. Ler comes to the A&K family with more […]