Hands Across Canberra celebrates Diane Bray AM
One of Canberra’s most passionate community advocates and philanthropists, Diane Bray AM, has retired from her role as Chair of Hands Across Canberra after ten years.
In recognition of her service, the Hands Across Canberra (HAC) Board commissioned a portrait by renowned Canberra artist Jenny Blake. The portrait features Diane with badges symbolising the Chief Minister’s Charitable Fund, Hands Across Canberra, and her Member of the Order of Australia and 2018 Citizen of the Year awards.
Diane has been the Chair of Hands Across Canberra, Canberra’s only independent community foundation, for the last 10 years. But she has been serving the Canberra community through her social enterprise and philanthropic work for far longer.
In her former role as Public Trustee for the ACT, she administered the Canberra Bushfire Recovery Appeal and founded the Capital Region Community Foundation, now known as GreaterGood, for the perpetual benefit of Canberra and the region.
She also helped to establish Common Ground, which provides quality tenancies for people who have experienced homelessness and low-income earners who are unable to access other affordable housing options. Diane has also been a fierce advocate for people with disability.
Her passion for local community has been widely recognised. Diane was the ACT Local Hero in 2004, and in 2007 received the International Women’s Day Award for services to the ACT Community. In 2009, she was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for her services to philanthropy, aged care, people with disabilities and juvenile diabetes research. She was listed on the Honour Roll of 100 inspiring women in the ACT in 2011, and in 2018 was named ACT Citizen of the Year.
Despite retiring from the HAC Board, Diane’s service to the foundation continues as an Ambassador for Hands Across Canberra. She also serves on the Board of Community Foundations Australia, helping to strengthen the community foundation network across the country.
We warmly congratulate Diane on her outstanding leadership and legacy at Hands Across Canberra and thank her for her contribution to the national project of building a stronger community foundation sector for Australia.