In 2021, the QBE Foundation local grants program supported 12 charities with grants of $25,000. Grants focused on three key areas of need that align with QBE’s approach to working in the community, with a key focus being climate action.

The Penguin Foundation was fortunate to be a recipient of one of these grants. As many natural areas around the world start to show the impacts of climate change, the Penguin Foundation works to protect Phillip Island’s (Millowl) natural environment and native wildlife – including Little Penguins.

Bank of Melbourne is a major partner of the Penguin Foundation. Since 2014, Bank of Melbourne has provided ongoing funding and support for little penguin research on Phillip Island. Most recently, Bank of Melbourne has supported a new little penguin weighbridge on the Summerland Peninsula. The 'Bank of Melbourne Penguin Weighbridge' allows Phillip Island Nature Parks scientists to study little penguin feeding patterns at sea, providing valuable health information for their conservation today and into the future. Learn more and watch the video here!

Kane Constructions has provided funding towards more fire-resistant habitat for little penguins on the Summerland Peninsula, an important step in protecting little penguins from increasing fire danger under climate change.