Rabbitohs and Souths Cares Provide Answers on Souths Cares Funding
27th May 2008
The South Sydney Rabbitohs and Souths Cares have responded to unsubstantiated reports today that the charitable arm of the Club has not accounted for $2 million of Federal Government funding. The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) approved an Indigenous employment program to be run by Souths Cares based on Souths Cares assisting to place Indigenous people in employment. So far the only funding that has been provided is $32,500 to put together the proposal which has been done with the assistance of an external organisation called Corporate Conscience, and any further funding will be forwarded to Souths Cares based on performance of placing Indigenous people in jobs over a period of time. Neither the Club, nor Souths Cares, has received any funding above the aforementioned level.
General Manager of Souths Cares John Hutchinson said: "We have a lot of work to do to receive any government funding which is completely based on performance. I have a meeting with DEEWR next week to discuss the proposal and the next steps in helping find jobs for Indigenous people. We?ve started to put together our action plan and strategies to make this a reality and we have plenty of work to do before we can complete this project."
Souths Cares is a registered non-profit organisation that operates within the South Sydney Football Club. Its charter is to support disadvantaged young people and their families in the South Sydney area as well as various Indigenous communities and projects throughout Australia. In order to maximise its reach and impact in the community, Souths Cares seeks to engage the Rabbitohs in the delivery of programs and raises funds through sponsorship, fundraising and collaborative partnerships.