55 year old Simon McKeon, Executive Chairman of Macquarie's Melbourne office was last night named Australian of the year for 2011.
...An investment banker who isn't preoccupied with blowing money up his nose or on expensive fast cars. OK, a rather large generalisation, but having dined and wined in the wee hours of the morning with fund managers and investment bankers there are a lot out there who are driven by the trappings a large salary and bonus can offer. Then there are those who are just evil, abusing their power to steal and deceive (Shawn Richard, Scott Murray).
It makes me wonder, how many of us really give back?
Full throttle social media networking, being on facebook and twitter it is amazing to see how many ordinary people are making extraordinary differences.
The day after the Qld floods hit, an Adelaide Mum set up the Qld Toy Appeal; when I dropped off some toys I was moved by the number of people volunteering their time (even children) to collect and pack literally thousands of toys.
Another locally run foundation, the Jodi Lee Foundation has seen the founder and husband of the late Jodi Lee take on incredible feats in the quest to raise funds and spread the word about bowel cancer awareness.
So back to the Australian of the year, Simon McKeon; an altogether impressive man, worthy of the honour, recognised for his support of Australian charities and his efforts encouraging the corporate world to engage with and help the developing world. McKeon, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 10 years ago also chairs the CSIRO, is a director of the Global Poverty Project and finds time to volunteer as a counsellor for the First Step Clinic.
Let's hope he inspires more people to use their power for good.
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