Community
Leadership in the community
One of the guiding principles of Stuart Alexander is the importance of people and community.
There are countless examples of Stuart Alexander's leaders setting a shining example of philanthropy and charity since the company's inception over a century ago. In recent years, Wesley Browne has been honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to the community, particularly assisting ex-servicemen and women.
Garry Browne continues this tradition of service to the community. He is the founder and director of the S'Team Foundation created in 2004 to commemorate the 120th anniversary of Stuart Alexander. The Foundation provides funds for projects and charitable organisations that improve the lives of young Australians and their families affected by adversity. It also offers the opportunity for Stuart Alexander employees to participate in community service and fundraising activities.
The S'Team Foundation
Voted for by employees, the S'Team Foundation currently supports three Australian charities that focus on supporting disadvantaged children and young people.
The Smith Family – Learning for Life
The Smith Family is a national independent children's charity committed to helping disadvantaged Australian children by unlocking opportunities through education and learning. Through the Learning for Life program, Stuart Alexander supports the Tech Pack project and the Polish project.
The Tech Pack project provides refurbished computers, internet access and training to children and their parents so disadvantaged families do not miss out on online learning and employment opportunities.
The Polish project delivers one-day interactive workshops to high school students from disadvantaged communities to prepare them for employment. The workshops teach personal hygiene, healthy lifestyle and dress codes required in the workplace, as well as goal setting, personal motivation, coping with stress, eye contact, hand shaking, body language and interview skills.
Youngcare – Simpson Desert Challenge
Youngcare raises funds to build communal assisted living facilities for young people who require high level full time care and are currently living in aged care nursing homes. Stuart Alexander has provided significant funding towards a common kitchen facility at a new residential complex on the Gold Coast in Queensland.
In May 2011, Garry Browne (Managing Director), Craig Urquhart (State Business Manager WA/NT) and Josh Scott Paul (the spouse of Stuart Alexander's human resource manager) participated in the YoungCare Simpson Desert Challenge raising over $173,000. The 10-day trek with a difficulty rating not far behind Mount Everest covered 320kms through some of Australia's most isolated and harsh landscape – a physically and emotionally challenging journey testing courage, strength, reliance and endurance.
Australian Children's Music Foundation – Juvenile Justice
Stuart Alexander provides funding for the Juvenile Justice Music project, part of ACMF's Youth at Risk program. The project provides an outlet for children as young as ten, who are in detention for serious crimes, to express themselves in a positive way rather than self-harm or violence. Through songwriting, performance and recording their tracks, music provides a pro-social alternative to a cycle of anti-social behavior and can sometimes mean the difference between a child choosing the right or wrong path in life.
Garry Browne in the community
An active philanthropist, Garry currently holds non-executive directorships with community organisations the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife and Outcomes Australia and is a past president of The Rotary Club of Sydney. He also mentors several CEOs of not-for-profit organisations on management and marketing.
From 2004-2007, he was Chairman/President of the Food & Beverage Importers Association.
