Australian Bushfires: Bosch Australia to help wildfire victims

Clayton, Australia — In response to the catastrophic bushfires that affected communities across Australia, Bosch Australia pledges a corporate donation of AUD$0.5 million in aid to provide assistance and support to communities. The funds will be allocated to an appropriate project in the first quarter of 2020.

Gavin Smith, President of Bosch Oceania, said, “It’s critical that businesses are a part of the rescue effort for devastated communities at a time like this. The economic impact of this crisis is likely to deepen. We must make sure that the response and rescue effort by businesses reflects the scale of the disaster.”

Further to this, in January, Bosch Australia announced it will take part in the Victorian Government's Business and Sport for Bushfire Recovery Program. Along with other businesses, sporting organisations and government agencies, Bosch Australia aims to stimulate economic activity by hosting events, meetings, and conferences in bushfire-affected communities when it is safe to do so.

“This is a great initative, by pledging to hold events in these small towns, we are helping affected communities get back on their feet. We are supporting what will be a long and difficult recovery process”, said Gavin Smith, President of Bosch Oceania.

This pledge has already been fufilled by the Bosch Automotive Electronics division. It will hold a leadership retreat in Beechworth for 2-days in late-February, with more divisions to follow suit in the coming months.

The leadership retreat will host, Jenny O’Connor, Mayor & CEO of Indigo Shire Council. Jenny will speak to the group about leadership in a time of challenge including how business can support regions under economic pressure.

As a global company, the Bosch Group employs roughly 403,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2019). Bosch Australia has communicated to associates globally that now is the time to visit Australia - although bushfires have torn through communities, these towns rely on tourism to survive, and associates have been strongly encouraged to take a trip Down Under.