Staff Charity Selection Program
The committee looks for opportunities to support Australian registered charities in their local communities with a focus on human welfare, ensuring all funds that are donated by the Lyone Foundation will go directly to support those in need. This committee is a dedicated group of COS employees who volunteer their time to research these exceptional and deserving charities, they then submit their selections to the board for consideration. This process is often emotional for staff as it exposes them to just how much need there is, and it’s an experience that can be quite transformational.
Staff Testimonials
Being a member of the Lyone Foundation Staff Selection Committee for the past two years has been one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences of my career.
Throughout this journey, I have had the privilege of meeting and learning about incredible charities that dedicate themselves to supporting children, families, and communities facing significant challenges. Hearing the stories of the people they help is often emotional and deeply moving. It gives a real understanding of the difference these organisations make every day and reinforces the importance of the work they do.
One of the most rewarding parts of being on the committee is sharing the news that a charity has been selected to receive funding from the Lyone Foundation. Seeing the genuine gratitude and excitement from these organisations is something I will never forget. Knowing that this support will help them reach more people and continue their vital work is incredibly fulfilling.
A message we received from one charity perfectly captures the impact of the Foundation's support:
"Oh my goodness Gina, how incredible! Thank you so much. This will make a huge difference to the number of kids we can reach. We are beyond grateful. Thank you for taking the time to learn about Southern Cross Kids' Camps and for championing us through this process. Your efforts, along with the generosity of the Lyone Foundation, will make a significant impact."
Moments like these remind me why the Lyone Foundation exists and why its work is so important. I am incredibly proud to be part of a committee that helps identify and champion outstanding charities for support, helping ensure they have the resources to continue changing lives. It is an experience that has inspired me, humbled me, and reinforced the power of giving back.
Gina Reed
Being part of the Lyone Foundation was such an humbling experience. I have worked with a charity that helped families with kids that live in remote areas and require to visit a hospital in big cities for regular treatment. A trip that would take 10+ hours in a car and often leaving families split up for large periods of time, is reduced to a minimum by flying these kids for an appointment with a small plane. It was heart warming to know that we have been able to fund a number of families and allow them access to the necessary procedures.
Iva Novak
Participating in the Staff Committee of the Lyone Foundation has been and continues to be very rewarding experience. I love hearing from others in the committee about their charity stories, there are so many people in Australia who give back to their community and helping them by giving a donation is very humbling. The Lyone Foundation is one of the reasons I love working at COS.
Emma Radcliffe
I have been lucky to be a member on the committee two years in a row now. It has been the most heartwarming and humbling experience to be able to not only support a cause I feel so deeply for, but to also learn and understand the struggles they go through. Getting to support these charities has opened my eyes to how much we can make a difference and I have made connections with causes that I will continue to support personally. The impact the Lyone Foundation has is genuinely life-changing.
Maiah Hughes
I had heard stories from others in our business who had participated & said how rewarding it was working with these amazing charities. I just had to experience it for myself! Ultimately it was one of the most important things I did all year and it provided the ultimate level of perspective. It was emotionally draining but exceptionally rewarding & made me immensely proud of our organisation and the Lyone Foundation's genuine & authentic heart for reaching communities in need.
We all get so caught up in the busy-ness of our own lives, we forget how genuinely tough others have it. The Lyone Foundation is the vehicle created for the people of COS to connect with our communities and demonstrate care and passion for others.
Todd Percy
I volunteered to be on the Lyone foundation staff committee because I had heard a lot of good things about the foundation and wanted to see what it was all about. I had always wanted to help, and support charities where possible and I thought this was a very good place to start. The experience was like no other. I didn’t realise how many charities there really are, and the amazing work that some humans do. It was an amazing experience and you will not regret doing it.
Taryn Carfi
Being part of the Lyone Foundation Staff Selection Committee has been a genuinely rewarding experience. It gave me the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from across the business while contributing to the selection and support of causes that make a meaningful difference.
Learning about the charities, the challenges they face, and the impact they have on their communities was both humbling and rewarding. The experience deepened my appreciation for the importance of giving back and the positive change that can be achieved when people come together around a shared purpose. I’m grateful to have been part of it.
Jennifer Tran
I was incredibly pleased and excited to be part of the Lyone Foundation Staff Selection Committee this year. It was something I had wanted to participate in for a number of years; however, the timing had never quite worked out. I am so glad that I finally made the commitment this year, as it has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had.
Being part of such an amazing team was truly inspiring. Throughout the journey, I had the opportunity to meet and work alongside passionate and dedicated people who all shared a common goal of making a positive difference.
One of the highlights for me was hearing the stories of each of the charities we learned about through the selection process. Learning about the incredible work they do within their communities and seeing firsthand the impact of that support from the Lyond Foundation can have was both humbling and motivating. It reinforced just how important the Lyone Foundation's work is and how, together, we can help create meaningful change.
I am grateful for the experience and proud to have been involved. I would highly encourage anyone considering taking part in the future to do so. It is an experience that will stay with you long after it ends.
Melanie Bazley
It is so easy to get caught up in day to day life and not see what happens around us, being part of the staff committee for 3 years now has opened my eyes and more my heart. I am proud to be able to work with COS and the Lyone Foundation to be able to share and make a difference being part of the team has shown me that sometimes its the small things that can make a difference. The Lyone Foundation allows me to give a little when I may not be able to it is truly life changing.
Nicole Riseley
To be a part of the staff committee was an incredibly humbling experience. It allowed me to witness firsthand the dedication and passion that drives these charities to make a difference. Their unwavering commitment to their causes left me in awe and also in tears. It was a privilege to hear their stories, understand their missions, and appreciate the significant impact they are making on the lives of so many people. Knowing that our support would directly contribute to the sustainability and growth of such worthy causes filled me with a deep sense of gratitude and humility. I am immensely proud to be part of the COS Committee that not only recognises but also support these incredible charities, ensuring they have the resources to continue their vital work.
Melinda Hughes
I have had the pleasure of being part of the Lyone Foundation Committee twice in my 10 years with COS and it is the most rewarding and humbling experience. Learning and listening to organisations and charities who are trying to help others in our community is a real eye opener, I’ve shed tears and laughter with some amazing people, and I am extremely proud to be part of an organisation that gives back to our community and allows their people to be a part of giving back. I encourage everyone to put their hands up at least once to be a part of the Lyone Foundation as it is so gratifying!
Vida Tinterovic
Amazing, eye-opening and extremely grateful. I was so proud and honoured to be involved and would love to be part of it again.
Danny Rabah
I was really keen to put my hand up to do something wonderful for a local charity. I was aware of the Lyone Foundation and the work they do before I started working at COS, in fact, it was another reason why I did apply for a role here. It is one of those heart-warming moments in life that gives you a great deal of satisfaction knowing that you have helped someone in need.
Alison Renshaw
It’s important for me to give back to the community and this was a great way to do this and also be part of an intimate group to make a big impact to a charity. It was so amazing, it’s brought the group closer together and it made me open a little about our personal challenges outside work. Such an amazing rewarding experience, I’ve been lucky enough to do this twice now and I always encourage people to apply and go through the rollercoaster of an experience.
Samantha Moody
Being part of the Lyone Foundation Staff Selection Committee this year was a great experience. I really enjoyed learning about the different charities and researching the important work they do to support people in our communities. It was inspiring to see how much impact these organisations have and how support from the Lyone Foundation can help make a difference. The whole process was very rewarding, and I was proud to be part of such a supportive and passionate Sydney team.
Krishnaraj Kalirajan
This year, for the first time, I joined the Lyone Foundation Staff Selectin Committee, and the experience has been both humbling and deeply rewarding. Seeing the dedication of small charities and their volunteers to supporting their communities has been incredibly inspiring. It is a powerful reminder of the positive impact we can create when people come together with a shared goal.
The Lyone Foundation was one of the guiding lights that drew me to COS. Being part of an initiative that brings hope and meaningful change to Australians facing everyday challenges fills me with pride and gives even greater meaning to the work we do.
Milena Orozco
It is such a humbling experience when you reach out to the amazing charities we have in this country and understand the work they do, the passion and dedication they show up with every day is incredibly inspiring. Whilst it is a challenging experience, I felt privileged to be involved with the Lyone Foundation through the Staff Selection Committee and be in a position to help select charities for funding and make a real impact.
Tina Mitchell
I had a great experience and would love to do it again. The fact that COS was able to change the lives of others that are less fortunate was one of the best "Feel Good" experiences I have ever participated in. If you want the opportunity to make a massive difference, by joining and volunteering, this will give you the result you're looking for.
George Broerse
The experience was extremely gratifying and humbling, it gave me the opportunity to speak to some amazing people who work tirelessly to raise much needed funding for projects which genuinely make a difference in our community. It is also a great opportunity to meet and collaborate with some new people who you may not have met or interacted with in your role at COS.
Navi Dosanjh
I was a member of the 2016 national staff committee. I was holding on putting myself forward for reasons I can no longer remember but then one afternoon my Executive asked me to consider nominating myself. That was the push I needed to get me over the line, and I am beyond grateful that I said yes. It’s hard to describe unless you’ve experienced it.
Whilst there is a lot of energy in researching suitable charities and projects, the rewards are so worth it. At times it was emotionally draining because you are hearing stories that truly pull on the heart strings. However, on the flip side knowing that the support the charities receive from the Lyone Foundation are helping those in need, and that you’ve been a part of that process, is very powerful and gratifying. Don’t think, just nominate yourself. It’s a truly humbling experience and one that I will never forget.
Melissa Lee
The experience I had was very rewarding. Firstly, to try and find a charity that is deserving and goes beyond to really make a difference in the community and second to finally go out to their premises and see the incredible work they do. The stories were truly inspiring.
John Scalora
I have been a member of the Lyone Foundation Committee twice now, a few years apart. Both times I have been in awe of the way others give so much of their own time & energy to helping those who need it. There are some amazing humans in this world and it’s a very humbling experience to be able to assist them to do what they so generously do. Knowing that I work for a business that places real importance on supporting those that are less fortunate has always been a good feeling, but actually being involved is a whole other level. It can be a real eye opener to see what other people are going through in their daily lives & how they ended up there. At worst, being on the committee is a great reminder to never take what you have for granted & remember that you never really know what challenges anyone is facing at any given time.
