About us

Partners in Aid was established in 1962 to provide support for struggling rural communities in India and Bangladesh. Initial projects involved shipments of livestock from Australia in order to improve the quality of local stock and thus provide improved food supplies for these communities.

During the 1980s Partners in Aid’s policies expanded to include community health and economic development. Current activities are facilitated through partnerships with locally registered, in-country non-government organisations (NGOs).

Partners in Aid currently undertakes project work in the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India and Fiji. We are a member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID).

The organisation is managed by a Board of Directors who meet up to 12 times a year. During the early days, our office had two paid staff. Since 1995, all work has been undertaken on a purely voluntary basis in Australia by directors and supporters, thus ensuring that funds raised are directed at those who have much less. This has consistently meant that at least 85% of all funds dispersed were forwarded to overseas partner organisations.

Partners in Aid is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and vulnerable people. We have zero tolerance for child abuse, exploitation and harm, and expect all volunteers, staff and Board members to uphold our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct. We actively work to create environments where children are respected, protected and empowered.

Policy documents for Partners in Aid are publicly available and can be viewed on our resources page.

Our office is based in Abbotsford, VIC and we have supporters and sponsors across Australia.

Our mission

To support sustainable projects in developing countries by partnering with NGOs to enable communities to build their capacity in education, health, environmental sustainability and income generation.

Volunteers

Board Directors

Silvia Hope (Chair)
Sophia Gerakios (Secretary)
Wilaine Pis-o (Treasurer)
Dr Cecily Neil
Lyn Pickering
Ruby Dubash
Julie Kirk
Richard Buchta
James Koulouris

Project Advisory Group

Dr Cecily Neil
Lyn Pickering
Dr Anne-Marie Maltby
Michael Oates
Silvia Hope
Julie Kirk
Dr Roger Hughes
Glenys Hughes
Richard Buchta

Volunteer Group

Jennifer Rodregeus

Formal registrations

ABN	50 006 946 550
Consumer Affairs Victoria	11274.13/14334
DGR Status	Yes
GST registration	Yes

Partners in Aid acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.