About the Trust

Background

The Anna Wearne Trust was created by Anna's close friends and family in February 1997 after her tragic death in a car accident. Out of disbelief and overwhelming grief over Anna's death, the idea grew that her spirit must go on.

Anna was only 23 when she died, but despite her young age, she was a woman who had achieved a great deal. Anna had the exceptional ability to arouse special strength in the people around her. She was determined to make a difference in the world and inspired others around her to believe they could too. Anna had a passion for reconciling injustices great and small. The aim and objectives of the Trust directly reflect Anna's pursuits.

Our Aim

"The Anna Wearne Trust will, by ensuring funds are provided to appropriate charitable institutions, create opportunities for young people to reach their potential, where such potential is hampered due to disadvantage or inequality."

Our Objectives:

• assist young people to enable the pursuit of educational goals;
• seek ways to advance the reconciliation of Indigenous people through specific projects or individual assistance;
• support young people to take on leadership roles that are of benefit to a community;
• facilitate and uphold the rights of women and support the advancement of and respect for women in all fields;
• create a network of non-financial support and encouragement whereby the trust acts as a bridge between young people and opportunities.

Our Structure

The Anna Wearne Trust operates in two different ways:

• It directly makes grants of up to $500 directly to recipients
• It makes recommendations to the Australian Community Foundation (ACF) about the making of grants from the Anna Wearne Fund, a sub-fund of the ACF. These grants are generally up to $1000 and are made to recipients via charitable entities endorsed as deductible gift recipients (DGRs). All grants made from the Anna Wearne Fund are subject to review and approval by the trustees of the ACF. We thank the ACF for its ongoing support.

Logo

The Trust logo was designed with the notions of reaching out, warmth and love in mind, as they are all symbols associated with Anna.

The design was created by Simone Elder, a graphic designer and friend of Anna's. Simone used Anna's characteristic signature of a heart and her name, in Anna's handwriting.

Anna Wearne Trust Logo

The Koori OT Scheme (KOTS) - The Anna Wearne Trust manages the financial operations of KOTS, an initiative geared at increasing Indigenous representation in the Occupational Therapy profession.

If you are interested in helping KOTS out in any way; please contact us at KOTSies2005@gmail.com.