Peter McMullin is the Chairman of McMullin, as well as currently holding a position as Special Counsel to Cornwall Stodart Lawyers, Board Member for Work Safe Victoria, Honorary Consul to Georgia and Honorary Consul to Timor-Leste. Peter is also an active philanthropist, with particular focus on supporting Statelessness, the Arts & Creative industries, International Cooperation, Indigenous opportunities and Education.
In recent years there are several significant projects we would like to highlight. These are projects that have been made possible because of Peters’ generous philanthropic support;
The Peter McMullin Centre On Statelessness
The Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness was opened in March 2018. Operated by the University of Melbourne, to undertake research, teaching and engagement activities aimed at reducing Statelessness and protecting the rights of stateless people in Australia, the Asia Pacific region, and as appropriate more broadly.
Find out more Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness
Science Gallery Melbourne
The University of Melbourne has secured the rights to the first and only Australian node of the acclaimed international Science Gallery network.
The Gallery will open to the public in early 2021 as part of The University’s innovation precinct, Melbourne Connect.
Peter became interested in the Science Gallery developed through his association with its director, Rose Hiscock, whom he met when he was on the board of Museums Victoria. He and Mrs McMullin have visited several other campuses of the Science Gallery, a global network of seven museums, founded in Dublin, and which develops and shares exhibitions.
“It’s bringing arts and science together and trying to find ways to communicate complex ideas in creative ways,” said Mr McMullin
Find out more www.melbourne.sciencegallery.com
Good Business Foundation
Probably Peter’s most significant commitment to philanthropic change to date comes through his 2019 establishment of the Good Business Foundation.
Peter wanted to establish a sustainable platform from which to drive significant opportunity for change. He founded the Good Business Foundation (GBF), with a commitment to work with partners and communities to build sustainable solutions in reducing inequality within and between countries. He wishes to see the impact of their work felt within the lives of the most marginalised and vulnerable on our planet. Ultimately focused on contributing to building systems and structures that serve all and not just a few.
The Covid-19 pandemic has propelled the Foundation in a direction more acutely focused on the widening gap between rich and poor and the growing marginalised and vulnerable communities being exposed both now, during the pandemic, and also looking longer-term, to their situations post-pandemic.
With the belief that beyond survival, to overcome this pandemic, we must restore a sense of purpose in life and work while building optimism for the future. There needs to be the development of new industries that not only give people pride in putting food on the table, or sending their kids to school, but also nourishes both community connection and the environment.
“It is for these reasons I have established the Good Business Foundation (GBF). I believe business, purposeful and impactful business, to be at the heart of building back better post-pandemic.
It is moments like this that I think of my father, who after the end of the second world war, started a dry-cleaning business in Fitzroy. He started with just two employees that grew to over 35,000 people working across 20 countries. People just like my father are out there, in places like Timor-Leste and PNG, starting small businesses in challenging circumstances. Their dreams and aspirations are great, and I intend to support them in the best way that I can.
It is not just a nostalgic memory; it is about real jobs and building toward a new and regenerative economy.” says Good Business Foundation Founder, Peter McMullin
The GBF is currently working with entrepreneurs to create a new and pragmatic vision for the future. The Yunus Centre at Griffith University has outlined seven domains for catalysing recovery and regeneration. Such a framework helps us see with some positivity the opportunity of current times.
This work is not without challenges. In low-income countries, the SME sector is known as ‘the missing middle’. Businesses are too large for microfinance funding and too small for investors. This is even though they contribute significantly to national and global GDP levels as well as jobs.
Estimates suggest the SME sector employs up to 80% of people in many countries, employing billions globally. In Indonesia, according to the NGO Good Return, SMEs receive only 6% of their funding from bank loans, despite contributing over 60% of the GDP.
Given these factors, the GBF focuses support towards the SME sector in the Asia Pacific as well as indigenous-led businesses here in Australia. With a plan to work with respected partners in building the capacity of impact businesses within these emerging markets have, helping create a self-sustaining and self-determining pathway out of poverty.
Find out more www.goodbusinessfoundation.com.au