Qudos Bank Arena (QBA), owned by TEG and proudly managed by ASM Global embraces its corporate social responsibility (CSR) and recognises the opportunity that we have to make a genuine difference in our community. As a commitment to our social responsibility, Qudos Bank Arena has promoted mental health, sustainability and granting wishes to sick children through our CSR partners Foodbank NSW & ACT, Gotcha4Life and Starlight Children’s Foundation. These partnerships give back to the community, reduce environmental impact, and create a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion.
Over the past financial year, the Arena has contributed over $80,000 through cloaking funds and in-kind value-add initiatives. These efforts include donating event tickets, providing staff volunteers, offering food donations, and more to our CSR partners.
Qudos Bank Arena also joined ASM Global’s Month of giving for Support Act’s Ausmusic T-Shirt Day on 30 November 2023. This involved encouraging staff to wear their favourite Australian artist band shirts for the day and donate. Additionally, Qudos Bank Arena contributed a donation to Support Act as part of this initiative.
Steve Hevern, General Manager of Qudos Bank Arena, said: “Qudos Bank Arena is deeply committed to driving improved change within our Greater Sydney community through our focused CSR initiatives.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnerships with Foodbank NSW & ACT, Gotcha4Life and Starlight Children’s Foundation. These organisations align with our business values and promise to create a lasting and positive impact in and around the community in which we operate.
“The past 12 months have featured a whirlwind of events and activity at Qudos Bank Arena, and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to make a difference in our community through our CSR initiatives.”
Foodbank NSW & ACT Partnership
Qudos Bank Arena’s collaboration with Foodbank NSW & ACT focuses on addressing food waste and insecurity in the region.
In the past year 899kg of surplus food was donated to support Foodbank’s mission.
On two occasions QBA staff volunteered to pack food at the Foodbank NSW & ACT distribution centre including packing 591 Christmas hampers in October 2023 totalling 8,535 kilograms of food and packing 4,080 food items and packing 3,000 loaves of bread, equivalent to 2,100kg in June 2024.
John Robertson, CEO of Foodbank NSW & ACT, highlighted the partnership’s importance: “Foodbank NSW & ACT is proud to partner with Qudos Bank Arena and we thank Qudos Bank Arena for their commitment to helping feed hungry Aussies. We continue to work together to reduce food waste by redirecting surplus food from every major event at the Arena to people in our communities who need it most.
“We are excited to continue this fantastic partnership with Qudos Bank Arena which is making a real difference to the lives of Aussies who are doing it tough in communities across NSW and the ACT”.
Gotcha4Life Partnership
The partnership with Gotcha4Life aims to improve mental health and wellbeing within the community. Founded by Gus Worland, Gotcha4Life focuses on inspiring and enabling people to build their mental fitness through their preventative mental health programs, campaigns and initiatives and resources like the Mental Health Gym to learn the skills to navigate life’s ups and downs. This partnership, launched in October 2023, includes initiatives such as mental fitness workshops for Qudos Bank Arena staff.
Belinda Elworthy, Gotcha4Life CEO, said: “Gotcha4Life’s partnership with Qudos Bank Arena is one we value immensely. Qudos Bank Arena’s commitment recognises the importance of supporting the mental fitness and wellbeing of their employees, and we look forward to continuing our work together with the Qudos Bank Arena team”.
Starlight Children’s Foundation Partnership
There is no greater thrill than bringing cheer to young people doing it tough. Since 2017, Qudos Bank Arena has maintained a meaningful partnership with the Starlight Children’s Foundation, dedicated to bringing happiness to seriously ill children and their families. Their contributions have totalled $110,000, supporting various events and fulfilling special wishes, such as 2-year-old Harry’s wish at The Wiggles concert in December 2023 (see photo below).
Harry’s Mum Emma said: “The Wiggles were a big part of Harry’s hospital journey, so for us to have this special time together on his Starlight Wish doing something that brings him so much joy – there’s nothing like it.
“We are so appreciative for the incredible experience – watching the show, singing along to his favourite songs, and then a VIP meet-and-greet with his heroes – it was an experience we will treasure forever.”
Qudos Bank Arena’s recent donation to the Starlight Children’s Foundation and will now act as a matched giving partner for their Spring Appeal this October. Starlight’s Spring Appeal aims to raise over $100,000 to help make hospital a happy place for seriously ill children. With Qudos Bank Arena’s support, every donation made between 15 – 23 October will be matched, enabling donors to double their impact for sick kids facing unimaginable challenges.
Louise Baxter, Starlight CEO said: “There is so much great synergy between Starlight and Qudos Bank Arena. At Starlight we seek to brighten the lives of seriously ill children, and it is only through the generosity of partners like Qudos Bank Arena we are able to replace pain and fear with fun, laugher and joy.
“Qudos Bank Arena is a spectacular venue with a wonderful team who are passionate about creating exceptional experiences. Seriously ill children and their families have enjoyed the joy and happiness of so many wonderful events and entertainments at Qudos Bank Arena, and we’re so thankful for their continuous support.”
The ASM Global team at Qudos Bank Arena team looks forward to another big 12 months of helping where we can through our CSR initiatives program.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Qudos Bank Arena acknowledge that we are on Wangal land. This land connects us all to the past and the future. We respect Wangal Country, recognise Elders past, present and emerging as Traditional Custodians of it, and celebrate the ongoing deep cultural connection of the people who continue to carry its language, song, dance, and stories.
ABOUT ASM GLOBAL
ASM Global is the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences. It is the global leader in venue and event strategy and management – delivering locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to achieve maximum results for venue owners. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 350 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X. Visit asmglobal.com
ASM GLOBAL (ASIA PACIFIC)
From its Asia Pacific regional headquarters in Brisbane, Australia, ASM Global operates a network of venues that includes:
- Entertainment and Indoor Sports Arenas – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney; RAC Arena, Perth; Brisbane Entertainment Centre; Newcastle Entertainment Centre; ICC Sydney Theatre; Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Great Hall; Cairns Arena; Bangkok Arena (under construction) and UOB Live, Bangkok; Coca Cola Arena, Dubai; Kai Tak Sports Park Indoor Arena (under construction), Hong Kong; and Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur;
- Live Performance Theatres – Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Sydney, Kuala Lumpur and Bahrain;
- Convention & Exhibition Centres – Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Newcastle, Sydney, Christchurch, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Bahrain and Riyadh;
- Stadiums – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane; National Stadium at Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur; Kai Tak Sports Park Main Stadium, Hong Kong (under construction); and a part ownership of VenuesLive, the operator of Optus Stadium, Perth
- King Abdullah Financial District Conference Center, Riyadh
- Boutique Meeting Facilities in Expo City, Dubai.
For more information, visit asmglobal.com
ABOUT TEG
TEG is a global leader in Live Entertainment, Ticketing and Technology. Every day TEG connects fans to experiences and customers with brands. We are proud partners of some of the world’s largest and most iconic venues as well as leading event promoters globally. TEG operates worldwide out of seven country offices and includes Ticketek, Ticketek Marketplace, Ticketek UK, Ticketek New Zealand, Ticketek Malaysia, Ticketek Philippines, Eventopia, Softix, TEG Live, TEG Dainty, TEG Sport, TEG Van Egmond, Laneway Festival, Handsome Tours, SXSW Sydney, TEG Theatrical, MJR Presents, TEG Lifelike Touring, TEG TES Live, Brickman, TEG Rockefeller, Rugby Live, TEG Europe, Propaganda, TEG USA, Qudos Bank Arena, FAN+, VIP NOW and Ovation.
