National Forum

Covenanting - Lessons from a long journey
Ms Jan Stewart

This talk will reflect on the history of the Lotteries Commission, its involvement in the Covenanting initiative, and the lessons learned from this experience.

Ms Jan Stewart gives an overview of the history of the Lotteries Commission explaining that although it originally supported traditional charities, it eventually expanded its view.

In 1990 the Lotteries Board began to set up a funding process that not only gave donations to organizations serving the needy, but recognized that a rich community life has many. The first issue the committee identified as crucial to conservation in Western Australia was how the foundation could encourage private land holders who owned land valuable for conservation purposes to set aside that land in trust for future generations, and for the well being of our environment.

Finally, in 1997, the Commission found a suitable body in the National Trust. The covenanting initiative is just one example of how the Commission is providing encouragement and financial support to the community

Through its involvement with the Covenanting program, the Commission has gained recognition of the importance of partnership with government, the conservation movement, a community organization such as the National Trust, and private land owners

While the actual financial contribution that Lotteries in Western Australia may make to conservation is relatively small in the face of the enormity of the need in this State, it remains committed to working on a range of strategies to do what it can in partnership with all like minded organizations and individuals to conserve our heritage, both for ourselves and the generations to come.