The Rise of Charity Work in Australia’s Insurance Industry
Stephen Carey, director of MakSure Risk Advisers and father of two, has been volunteering with Foodbank Queensland for six years, dedicating one day each week to preparing food packages. His efforts have not gone unnoticed, with Foodbank nominating him for a Westfield Local Heroes award. Recently, Carey even donned a banana suit for the 5km Bridge to Brisbane run to raise awareness about the state’s food challenges.
Carey’s commitment to charity work reflects a broader shift in the business world, particularly in the insurance industry. Many companies now incorporate paid volunteer days into work contracts, and industry leaders like Robert Kelly, Steadfast Group CEO, and Damien Coates, CEO of DUAL Asia-Pacific, raise tens of thousands of dollars annually for various causes.
“I think it’s definitely changed over time,” Carey observed. “If I look at the start of my career, there weren’t really opportunities at all for staff to volunteer.” He believes companies are becoming more socially responsible while also seeking to retain staff and “keep them happy.”
The COVID-19 pandemic was a significant catalyst for Carey’s regular volunteering. “It showed me the benefit of really doing it and being a more full-time volunteer,” he said. The pandemic also accelerated another major change in Australia’s work model: working from home. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, nearly 40% of the country’s workforce now works from home regularly.
Carey’s decision to start his own authorised representative business has also enabled him to accommodate charity work. “There are different business models, like the authorized rep networks in the insurance industry, that give individuals who have left the corporate world and are looking to run their own business, the ability to do different things to meet their needs,” he explained.
When asked how he finds time to volunteer with a full-time job and young children, Carey replied, “My approach is: I just make the time. It’s something that’s important to me, that I want to do.” He dedicates half a day on Monday mornings to volunteering and makes up the rest of the hours during the week.
Queensland faces significant food struggles, with 1 in 5 residents struggling to put food on the table, including many children. Foodbank Queensland provides millions of kilograms of food and groceries to over 350 frontline charities annually, feeding approximately 150,000 Queenslanders. Carey was drawn to Foodbank because of its undeniable impact and vast network of member charities.
As Carey noted, “Kids going to school without any food, it’s hard for them to try to study. Thinking of my two kids just makes it more meaningful – no kid should go to class with an empty stomach.” His story highlights the growing importance of charity work in the insurance industry and the potential for individuals to make a meaningful difference in their communities.
