Agency leaders and marketers call on industry to support volunteer fire fighters with launch of ‘Wage For A Wage’ fundraising appeal
Leaders across advertising, media and marketing are rallying those working in the industry to get behind a campaign to give back to volunteer fire fighters in New South Wales and Victoria by donating one day’s pay to its ‘Wage For A Wage’ appeal.
The fundraising campaign encourages the industry to donate one day’s wage to volunteers who have selflessly given up their own pay while bravely fighting fires during the ongoing bushfire crisis.
Industry leaders already on board and encouraging others to support Wage For A Wage are: Josh Grace, chief marketing officer at Samsung Australia, Sue Squillace, chief executive officer ANZ at Carat, Pete Bosilkovski, chief executive officer Clemenger BBDO Sydney, Suzy Nicoletti, managing director, Twitter Australia, Chris Howatson, chief executive officer at CHE Proximity and Danielle Hamilton, head of marketing at ING Australia.
A calculator on the campaign website (www.wageforawage.com.au) works out the value of one day’s pay when you enter an annual salary, and allows you to donate it to the Rural Fire Services Association (RFSA) and the Volunteer Fire Brigades of Victoria (VFBV).
A live tally will show progress towards the fundraising target of $1 million and all funds raised will be distributed to the RFSA and VFBV’s volunteer fire fighters welfare funds.
(Pictured L-R: Josh Grace, Suzy Nicoletti, Sue Squillace, Danielle Hamilton, Chris Howatson (back row) and Pete Bosilkovski.)
Pete Bosilkovski, chief executive officer Clemenger BBDO Sydney, is among the first to support the initiative.
Says Bosilkovski: “I am one hundred percent behind this initiative. Our volunteer firefighters have given up so much for others during this crisis, and many people are feeling helpless and not knowing how to support these amazing people. The bushfires have been devastating and continue their destruction, this is a way for the industry to donate a day’s work for good – to show our support, say thank you and help repay these brave men and women in some small way.”
Says Suzy Nicoletti, managing director, Twitter Australia: “As someone who is married to a firefighter, I have seen first hand the tireless bravery that this community embodies every day, so this cause could not be closer to my heart.
On the platform we’ve seen the Twitter community, both in Australia and far beyond, rally together like never before. From an elderly woman being rescued from her roof when stranded thanks to a single Tweet using #NSWFires, to inspiring generosity springing up through movements such as #AuthorsForFireys — it has been humbling to see the power of social to unite people in times of need.
Just imagine seeing a loved one head out into the bush for weeks at a time to risk their lives. What these volunteers are doing, often with little to no pay, is nothing short of heroic. Over the past month I’ve received calls from people across the world asking how they can help. The #WageForAWage campaign is a fantastic way for us to honour their courage and dedication.”
Brian McDonough, RFSA president said the Association provides practical support to volunteer firefighters on the ground as well as support for members who have been directly impacted by these fires.
Says McDonough: “The RFSA maintains a Welfare Fund with DGR status, to specifically aid our members who have lost homes, farm equipment, fencing and livestock. In recent weeks we have provided assistance to these volunteer firefighters through our work with the NSW RFS Chaplains who are trained and able to help these people in their recovery process.”
To calculate your pay for one day and donate it to support volunteer fire fighters, go to www.wageforawage.com.au
6 Comments
Donating a day’s wage is harder when you’re on a jnr’s salary but i applaud the initiative. If all CEO’s, CCO’s, CSO’s, CMO’s, C3PO’s et al can get behind it, they may raise some real cash.
Hi whose idea is it. It’s a good idea but why the lack of transparency around whose idea it is?
It’s great that the industry wants to pull out all stops to help but we all need to sit back a bit and not jump on the fundraising bandwagon because WE feel it’s the right thing to do, and lets face it great for our own leaders personal PR opportunities.
The reason the RFS (and we shouldn’t forget the SES because they deserve a huge mention as they were on the ground throughout backing up the RFS) are such great organisations is because of the volunteer culture and the uniquely Australian mateship and pride of being part of it.
A majority of RFS volunteers, and also RFS management feel that being paid or compensated would undermine and destroy the culture they are part of.
On top of this there is concern setting in that the massive level of fundraising could have lasting affects and create a precedent on long term Government funding.
If you’re a city slicker and want to do something get down to your local SES, sign up, commit to volunteering your time and kick in some coin for supplies. The SES are way underfunded compared to the RFS.
You’ll make some lasting friendships along the way.
Piss off ScoMo. It’s marketing Scotty’s like you who are the reason the RFS is in this predicament.
Give the money to the fireys and if they want to donate it to better equipment, great.
In the meantime, go to Hawaii.
Ive donated a lot of days wages to these people by means of getting reamed over the years. Maybe they could pay it back to those in need on my behalf. 🙂
Why don’t they donate all the unpaid overtime for six months to charity?
I mean that’s all pure profit for the agencies, especially when they bill it out…