The Good Philanthropist

Philanthropy is one of the most important features of modern society. I define it as voluntarily sharing something of private value to provide a personally perceived social benefit.  You may define philanthropy as...

...giving a small part of one's surplus wealth towards increasing one's popularity, especially if you do not have very much wealth of your own.

Givers and donors may often gain pleasure from feeling they are making a worthwhile contribution towards the broader alleviation of human needs.  If you consider yourself to be a philanthropist, rather than a socialist or a socialite, I am sure there are at least two or three underprivileged readers of this blog-pamphlet who would like to know how you are attempting to make their lives better.

A Wikipedia introduction to philanthropy

A Wikipedia introduction to high impact philanthropy

Philanthropy in Australia

National Pro Bono Resource Centre, Australia

Another important feature of modern society is social enterprise, though that can mean all sorts of things depending on whether you consider yourself to be a philanthropist, a socialist or a socialite.  The mutually beneficial exchange of goods and services is the basis of the most worthy economic and social activities in any society, even if the product in question is little more than sheep's grease.

Many of my own philanthropic activities provide both a public/social and a private/personal benefit, as I am sure you already know.  Being a good philanthropist involves knowing when the time is right to make a stand for enlightened standards of behaviour.  It involves knowing when the most suitable time may be to make a complaint or raise awareness of a problem.  And it involves the informed beautification of the world, with or without the assistance of socialists, socialites or even those annoying creatures known as celebutantes.


Here are just a few useful persons to know:

The South Australian Ombudsman

The Commonwealth Ombudsman

The South Australian Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner


Some pleasantly philanthropic options:

Obtain some assistance from South Australia's Consumer and Business Services regarding unsatisfactory goods and services

Have a little chat with the South Australian Police Complaints Authority

Make yourself known to the Disability Advocacy and Complaints Service of South Australia Inc.

Say hello to the Legal Practitioners Conduct Board in South Australia


Doing good works and making complaints can be very tiring.  I, of course, try to ensure I have enough beauty sleep each night, as well as an early afternoon snooze after a larger than usual luncheon.  My admirable social status is well known in even the highest ranks of society, except in the minds of those suffering from the deleterious and notorious effects of hubris.  It does not really matter to me whether I am called Madame or Mademoiselle, though I am very glad indeed that I am not currently the Governor General of Australia.

I discussed a wide range of philanthropic, constitutional and entrepreneurial matters over tea this afternoon with Princess Gourielli.  We have both come to the conclusion that Australian politics is frequently very ugly, though we do not believe a tub of over-priced lanolin will improve the situation at present.

The princess and I have come to the conclusion that incorrect training, inelegant marketing, unsuitable premises and unsustainable premises are to blame for the current political situation in Australia, as well as the unsuitability of many of the persons employed as inspectors through the mass media.  The princess has a great deal of experience in the business world, and on how to judge the market.  She even profited a great deal by a decision of Lehman Brothers some time ago.

I am sure that if you have an interest in Australian art, you will also appreciate the philanthropic generosity of the princess, whatever the quality of your skin tone.  We, of course, call each other Madame over tea.  And as I look after my health very well indeed, eat a good diet and have plenty of sleep, fresh air and evening promenades, I rarely require the services of the cosmetics industry.

Are you aware of my own philanthropic pursuits?  And may you invite me to tea to become more aware of your own?