John Bennett has been a passionate advocate for local giving through the Northern Rivers Community Foundation since its very first days.
“I’ve always loved living here,” John says. “It’s a beautiful part of the world, but you can see there are lots of people who are not doing too well who need help.
“My favourite saying is that money is like manure. It’s made to spread around. If you pile it up, it stinks.
“I’ve always followed that philosophy, and I encourage other people to do the same.”
As an NRCF Bequest Ambassador along with Paul Jamieson, John has helped connect dozens of locals with a powerful way to support their local community beyond their lifetime by leaving a gift in their will. It’s something that John feels so strongly about that he is leaving a generous gift of his own.
“I decided myself to do a major bequest to NRCF of $1 million,” he explains.
“I believe that you must look after your family first and you should leave your kids enough money so they’ve got a bed to sleep in, but not so much that they won’t get out of bed.
“A bequest doesn’t have to be an extraordinarily large amount of money,” John continues. “Most people have a house or a property or something like that and even five or ten per cent of your net assets is a very good way to give.
“Paul and I run the bequest morning teas where we explain the process and we’d love anyone to give us a call or come along and learn more about how bequests can help our community,” John says.
“We can all leave a legacy, and I think it’s important to give locally, to give back to the community that’s given us so much.”
Interested in learning more? Register your interest to attend a bequest morning tea by contacting Sandra Duncan, Engagement Manager: engagement@nrcf.org.au
Read more: How your Will can help create a better future