OSCA
THE JOY OF GIVING
THE WINNEKES . LEFT TO RIGHT :
ED ( YEAR 11 ),
ANGE ( PETER ’ S WIFE ), PETER (' 82 ) AND MIKE
(’ 23 ). THIS PHOTO WAS
TAKEN AFTER THE 1ST XI
GAME AGAINST BRIGHTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL IN
MARCH 2023
AN OLD BOY ’ S BOOK SHINES A LIGHT ON THE BENEFITS OF PHILANTHROPIC GIVING
Peter Winneke (’ 82 ) worked in the corporate sector for 16 years , specialising in insolvency , mergers and acquisitions . It was during that period that he began to see the need to address inequity and to seek a greater purpose in life . A career change took him into philanthropy , and that is where he has worked for the past 20 years .
In philanthropy , Peter led Australia ’ s largest grant-making family , as well as serving other organisations in the philanthropy sector , such as Philanthropy Australia , the Myer Foundation , the Sidney Myer Fund , the Catherine Freeman Foundation and the Reichstein Foundation . In all those appointments , Peter was driven by a single-minded passion : to champion an increasing culture of strategic and impactful giving .
That passion was the driving force behind Peter ’ s determination to create a practical guide to more and better giving in Australia , which has materialised in a book , Give While You Live , which was launched via webinar last November . Among many issues graphically covered in the book are how much wealth is enough , how much to leave the kids , the extraordinary educational tool that a family foundation can be for the next generation , best practice giving , how giving will enhance your purpose and legacy and the reforms required to get to more and better giving in Australia .
Peter comes from a four-generation Scotch family . His greatgrandfather was Henry Christian Winneke ( 1893 ). His grandfather , Sir Henry Winneke ( 1925 ) was Governor of Victoria from 1974-82 . Peter ’ s father , Michael (’ 53 ), was School Captain in 1955 . Peter ’ s two sons have attended Scotch : Mike was in Year 12 in 2023 , and younger son , Ed , is in Year 11 . Peter is also fourth generation on his mother ’ s side ( Heather Paton ), through great-grandfather Francis Lyall ( Frank ) Paton ( 1887 ), grandfather , Sir George Whitecross Paton ( 1920 ) and uncle Frank Paton (‘ 63 ).
Great Scot asked Peter about his book and philanthropy in general , beginning with the question : Do you believe Australians are increasingly coming around to appreciate the importance of philanthropy ? Yes , but very slowly . We need more role models . However , I ’ m optimistic that over the next decade we can inspire families with surplus wealth to do more , as they learn from role models about the joy and satisfaction of working together as a
family unit , with clever for-purpose leaders , targeting issues in the community that they are passionate about .
How important was your background in the corporate world to your subsequent career in philanthropy ? In my case it was very important . I developed commercial skills , which I could then apply to the philanthropic sector .
In your book , what areas of work do the case studies cover ? There is a mix of amazing stories highlighting impact across numerous areas from around the world . Hopefully they will inspire the reader to go bigger and bolder .
Can you comment on the importance of introducing families to the concept of giving ? How early in a working life should a young person consider giving to a philanthropic cause ? There is a lot of evidence that shows that if kids start sharing early in life , they give more later in life . So it ’ s really important ! As I discuss in the book , there are so many opportunities to get primary and secondary schoolchildren engaged in their community , which will result in many wonderful teachable moments .
What is ‘ structured giving ’? How can it lead to a more equitable world ? As opposed to writing cheques , structured giving brings a more focused , long-term and strategic approach to giving , often via a philanthropic structure , which if done well , will result in greater outcomes .
Do you think it ’ s important to have some kind of link with an organisation to which you are considering making a donation ; for example , your former school or a sports club ? In my experience the more passionate one is on the issue , then more time and expertise are applied , with greater outcomes .
How are you marketing the book ? Are you aiming at nationwide or even international distribution ? The book is focused on Australia , as we can do so much better here , however , many of the giving principles apply offshore , and a number of books have been sold in New Zealand .
On a personal note , what are your current links with Scotch ? Primarily through my two boys . It has been unusual to be back on the grounds most weeks after an absence of 40 years !
For more information about Give While you Live , and to obtain a copy , go to www . peterwinneke . com . au .
84 Great Scot Issue 171 – Edition 1 2024