Well done Toowoomba! Red Cross thanks Australia’s most generous region
Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor |
The Australian Red Cross says the Toowoomba district, on the Queensland Darling Downs, is Australia’s most generous postcode.
The Red Cross has been analysing its donations since 2019, finding the 4350 postcode region had more Red Cross donors than any other, and the highest amount of non-corporate donations.
The 4350 postcode includes the city of Toowoomba and 43 other locations. Red Cross State and Territory Operations Director Poppy Brown said it’s home to some very generous people.
“Toowoomba’s extraordinary generosity has seen 2,873 people give Red Cross a total of $1.135 million.
“I’m hoping that generosity will continue with people making tax deductible donations as we come to the end of the financial year.”
The Mackay area (postcode 4740) was the state’s second-most generous, with the Cairns region (postcode 4870) in third place.
Nationally, the ACT topped the generosity figures, followed by Tasmania and Western Australia, measured by donations per capita. Queensland was in seventh place.
Ms Brown said the analysis showed women and people in low-income areas give more and donate more often.
“As a percentage of local median income, people in low-income areas give as much as those in wealthy areas, and more than those in middle income areas.
“This has been the case throughout 2020 and 2021, despite women and people on lower incomes being disproportionately affected by the pandemic, the rising cost of living, and slow wage growth.
All up, 1,038,644 individual and corporate donors gave $586.95 million to Australian Red Cross between January 2019 and April 2022.
183,940 women donated a total of $91.37 million, with 129,539 men giving a total of $88.96 million.
Ms Brown said the Red Cross is grateful for support from every part of the community.
“Every donation supports our work to help people in urgent need 365 days a year. Every dollar from every donor helps make a real difference.
“That support means we can respond to disasters at home and overseas, and also support migrants and refugees, work with people who are homeless, and help older Australians overcome loneliness and isolation.”