Who We Are:

LandAid Ltd is a charitable organization, founded by determined volunteers, comprising Australian businesses, agencies, artists and committed individuals with a collective goal of aiding and supporting immediate and ensuing needs of hardship communities and regions. Our goal is to re-enable communities to ‘fish for themselves’ – not merely provide ‘fish for the day’.

LandAid liaises with and provides assistance for the unique needs of rural hardship communities - rather than individuals. Assistance may be given via direct funding or direct sponsorship/partnerships with businesses and/or other charities. Monies generated and collected become part of a charitable fund overseen by a prudent, appropriately skilled and qualified board of directors and distributed to eligible communities based on the severity of need as defined by LandAid Grant guidelines. It is also expected that monies will be available for appropriate research into more effective ways and means of managing and utilizing land/water.

Goals:

• To support Australian communities through hardships including drought, fire, flood, earthquake and times of social/financial stress.
• To ensure a legacy for rural communities and viable future for Australian primary production.
• To provide practical and tangible hope to rural communities through the provision of practical and financial assistance in times of need.
• To develop a strong, nationally recognized charitable organization effective in itself, liaising and dealing with communities, and providing focus and guidance for existing projects as they pertain to rural issues and concerns.

Launch of LandAid

This September (2nd - 10th) - at the 2011 Adelaide Royal Show - LandAid launches nationally, announcing our presence and commitment to helping unify, restore and perpetuate rural communities ravaged by fire, flood, drought, earthquake, social or economical disasters. Sponsored by the Adelaide Showgrounds and the generosity of organizations and individuals sharing LandAid’s mission, we begin interacting with the public, listening to the unique needs and concerns of everyone stopping by our booth located in the Farm Expo area of the Royal Show.

Along with collecting and exchanging information, we will be showcasing programs LandAid already has underway aimed at helping rural communities, and every person therein, glean prudent support and information. These programs include: a unique rural counseling service called ‘MatesLine’, and aid in sourcing prudent grants possibilities (‘GrantSource’) for all things ‘community’ in nature.

It is LandAid’s intention not only to shoulder-up alongside challenged communities, but as well to work in tandem with sister charities and organizations to better move mountains we're certain to encounter as we progress in our mission. Presently, LandAid is talking with the Australian Lions Club regarding linking-up at this year’s Show. It's this ‘let’s all push the same direction’ attitude that will help LandAid to be affecting and successful as we move from the launch pad of the Royal Show out into all the possibilities and triumphs of a world in need of all the help we can give.

To perpetuate progress and goodwill, LandAid aims to encourage grant recipients to adopt a, “pay it forward” caveat – an understanding to use their skills, time and resources to help others in their community and nearby hardship areas to progress.

Roll out

LandAid will be rolled out in several phases:

• Appointment of a Board of Directors and Trustees... completed (see tabs for listing)
• Appointment of a CEO... completed
• Recruitment of Legal and Accounting representation... completed
• Appointment of an Auditor... completed
• Design and launch of
  www.landaid.org.au
  website... completed
• Commencement of pilot projects: 'MatesLine' and 'GrantSource'... completed
• Procurement of sponsorship for attendance at the Royal Show... completed
• Procurement of booth for National launch at 2011 Adelaide Royal Show... completed
• Approval for DGR/tax exempt status from the ATO... pending
• Approval for Charity License from Gaming Commissioner... pending
• Establishment of an administrative office and appointment of staff... underway
• Receipt of initial funding... pending
• Commence delivery of relief to communities in crisis... we're getting there as quickly as possible