After the presentation, there were comments made by Members including: “This was the best presentation at our lunch meeting!” and “What a privilege to hear her speak!” After the meeting ended, Bronwyn was surrounded by Members who congratulated her personally.
Graduating from Melbourne University in 1999, Bronwyn started her medical career working in the lung cancer unit at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. The devastating impact of tobacco on her patients left a deep impression. Perceived as having brought cancer on themselves they were actually victims of an industry designed to turn them into addicts.
Bronwyn’s subsequent discovery that she was, as were her fellow colleagues at Peter MacCallum, an unwitting investor in tobacco companies through their super fund investments. Bronwyn was shocked and this led her to take action. In 2010, whilst still working as an oncologist, she founded Tobacco Free Portfolios.
In a passionate and inspiring address, Bronwyn described how she has persuaded fund managers world-wide to move more than AU$12 billion away from tobacco investment. This has contributed to tobacco-free finance polices being implemented in over 40 Australian superannuation funds, Sovereign Wealth funds, banks, insurers and fund managers in ten countries, representing the excess of AU$12 billion. In addition, as head of a Global Task Force, she is working against the tobacco industry’s targeting of poorer countries and youth.
This outstanding result is all the more remarkable considering TPF is a self-funded NFP organisation with only three people donating their time. Ted Baillieu asked Bronwyn the question: “How is TFP funded?” Bronwyn then humbly outlined how TPF are in desperate need of funds as this movement gains momentum on the international stage.
As Ted, a member of the Tobacco Free Portfolios Global Advisory Council, reinforced what the Rotary Club of Melbourne identified after Bronwyn's inspirational presentation: “Bronwyn is an exceptional Australian who deserves our fullest support.”
Brownyn’s history of Community and humanitarian success include:
Brownyn’s Awards include:
Beyond her ongoing work as an oncologist, Bronwyn’s major contribution, recognised by this award, exemplifies the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self. She joins a distinguished body of men and women who have been previous recipients.
If you would like to donate to Tobacco Free Portfolios:
Tobacco Free Portfolios is a registered charity with DGR (deductible gift recipient) status, enabling tax-deductible donations. Donations are warmly welcomed to support and accelerate the work.
Banking Details
Name: Tobacco Free Portfolios Limited
BSB: 013 606
Account: 4024 33 976
Please email confirmation of the donation to bk@tobaccofreeportfolios.org and a tax deductible receipt will be issued.
If you missed Bronwyn's address to Rotary, you may like to hear the following presentation from Bronwyn:
https://tedxsydney.com/talk/eliminating-tobacco-companies-from-investment-portfolios-bronwyn-king/