Businessman calls on his peers to join long-term giving for Goulburn

In the 1980s a visionary Goulburn businessman Dick Howe, who had earlier established an importing business, founded the Pilgrim Clothing Co. More recently his son Matt has taken a long-term view of the wellbeing of his community and provided a $10,000 sponsorship agreement with the Southern Tablelands Community Foundation.

Matt did not hesitate when he learned of the work of the STCF. “These guys are doing some good things,” he said.

“I am hoping this will encourage other businesses in Goulburn to do the same,” he said during a meeting with the STCF’s Treasurer Bob Kirk and President Dick Kearins.

Pilgrim Clothing Company, which provides clothing in the retail (online), corporate and wholesale marketplaces, is also a sponsor of the Goulburn Monopoly Board Game, an appropriate fit given its headquarters location in the Goulburn CBD’s impressive and much-admired AMP Building.

Attending a recent Business 2580 meeting Bob Kirk spoke on the STCF’s recent success in distributing grants and building its support base. As well as sponsorship arrangements the foundation is encouraging regular direct debits, including through staff giving schemes. People can donate regularly from as little as $5 a pay and contribute to the Goulburn community.

The money is invested for the long term and its earnings are regularly distributed to projects like FROGS (Friends of Goulburn Wetlands), Goulburn Historical Cemeteries, Endeavour Industries, Goulburn Tennis Club and Goulburn Can Assist.

STCF President Dick Kearins says under its charter as a not-for-profit entity, the foundation cannot make donations to individuals but can and does help them through local charitable organisations.