The J.O. & J.R. Wicking Trust is one of Australia’s biggest charitable trusts. With an opening value of $45m and is one of Australia’s most significant charitable trusts, distributing around $4 million annually to people, programs and research that significantly improve the quality of life and death for older Australians

Since its establishment, J.O. & J.R. Wicking Trust has distributed approximately $12m

The Trust is the legacy of John and Janet Wicking, two remarkably active and generous philanthropists whose charitable giving was largely inspired by their own experiences. After John’s mother lost her sight in her later years, John became not only a significant donor to the Association for the Blind (now Vision Australia), but sat on its Board of Directors for 18 years, even serving as president from 1972 to 1984.

John himself suffered an injury while mowing his lawn that required microsurgery. His successful operation by a leading surgeon inspired him to include the Microsurgery Foundation (now the O’Brien Foundation) in his Will, endowing the organisation with more than $2 million to date.

The J.O. & J.R. Wicking Trust has had a particular focus on helping elderly Australians and those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.  As part of the Trust’s role in raising public awareness of research into ageing and Alzheimer’s disease, it has supported two public lectures (in 2015 and 2017) as well as symposiums at which leading subject matter experts have updated the community on relevant advances and emerging issues.

Whether enabling ground-breaking microsurgery research, supporting the development of digital talking book technology, or providing a platform for public discourse about Alzheimer’s/dementia, the Wicking Trust is a shining example of the power of structured philanthropy.