Founded in 2016, the Dr Steve Burroughs Foundation’s (DSBF) mission is to provide support to improve the social, economic, and well-being of Indigenous Australians in remote communities.
As a non-profit organisation, DSBF’s team is made up passionate, skilled, and dedicated directors, partners, and volunteers. It’s thanks to their continued efforts that the Foundation is able to reach out to more people and provide much-needed support, when and where it’s needed.
We spoke to Dr Steve Burroughs, the Foundation’s namesake, about his journey and how DSBF has grown to be so successful – particularly during a global pandemic.
As Director and Chair of the Dr Steve Burroughs Foundation, Dr Burroughs – or Dr Steve as he likes to be called – has decades of experience partnering with Indigenous communities and their supporters.
His dedication to helping remote Indigenous communities achieve equity in health, housing, and self-sufficiency has proven to be exemplary, so much so that the Foundation chose to name itself after Dr Steve.
The Foundation reaches some of the most remote Indigenous communities in Australia, including Halls Creek, Lightning Ridge, Yakanarra, Broome, and the Kimberley.
Dr Steve is passionate and committed to improving and empowering Indigenous communities with a view of promoting a sustainable life and resilient future.
When it was founded in 2016, the Foundation would receive small items which it would then distribute to remote communities in need. As word spread of the impact it was having and more supporters became involved, it was soon receiving hundreds of pallets worth of goods at a time.
Dr Steve says that while the COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges, it has also – somewhat paradoxically – been a time of tremendous growth for the Foundation, thanks to its generous donators, including corporates Bonds, Ikea, and Sheridan.
“The Foundation has grown exponentially in the past two years. In our first year of operating, we turned over around $20,000 worth of retail merchandise, while in 2021 we turned over a staggering $1.6 million worth,” said Dr Steve.
“Ikea has recently donated 150 pallets worth of goods to the Foundation which was distributed all across Australia. Similarly, Sheridan have just been fantastic. The amount of bedding they have donated has just been phenomenal.
“It’s thanks to fruitful networking opportunities which has led to the formation of some of these very powerful partnerships.”
In late 2021, the Foundation held a breast screening program in Yarrabah, one of the largest Indigenous communities in Australia.
“In the lead up to this screening day, through the generosity of Bonds, we were able to send pallets of bras to encourage women to take part in the day. This initiative meant that any women that had a mammogram that day would receive a free bra,” Dr Steve said.
“We had five times as many women turn up for a potentially lifesaving mammogram than the previous year’s event. The most eye-opening aspect of this initiative is that for some of these women it was the first time they had ever had a mammogram.
“The impact that one donation – whether it be large of small – can have on so many less fortunate people is truly amazing.
“It’s thanks to corporates and generous Australians who donate and volunteer that the Dr Steve Burroughs Foundation is able to continue to have a positive impact on so many Indigenous Australians. There’s certainly no shortage of Australians willing to donate either their time or goods to the Foundation.
“Another example of the power of generosity can be seen in Nexia Australia, who have generously donated thousands of hours work to the Foundation. Nexia are at the forefront of all Foundation activity – they not only assist with day-to-day activity, such a maintaining accounts and transparency, but they also assist which much more complex tasks including securing our recent DGR status.
“There is no way the Foundation could operate without Nexia. They offer tremendous guidance and expertise, which means the Foundation can continue to offer support and good to those who need it the most.
“I always know that I can count on the Nexia team to assist myself and the Foundation.”
The Foundation’s partnership with Nexia is thanks to Dr Steve’s longstanding relationship with chartered accountant and partner with Nexia Australia, Mark O’Shaughnessy – who is also a director of the Foundation.
All donations go toward the purchase and distribution of goods to Indigenous Communities. To find out how you can volunteer or donate visit, www.drstevefoundation.org.au.
