Article from 2022 Impact of Giving Annual Report

As Managing Director of the family business KS Environmental, legacy is incredibly important to Paul Smith. The Melbourne based waste management company can trace its history back to a pig farm in Heatherton, and now offers a wide range of waste and recycling services to thousands of businesses across metropolitan Melbourne.

In 2002, after some of Paul’s nieces and nephews received care at the RCH, he became a member of RCH1000, a giving community in which each member makes an annual minimum $1,000 donation, to help fund vital research projects across the RCH campus.

Since then, Paul has made annual contributions above and beyond his RCH1000 commitment, totalling more than $80,000 and including a current commitment to donate $10,000 per annum.

As a member of RCH1000, Paul acts as a beacon in the community. He is an advocate for the RCH Foundation, engaging and encouraging potential like- minded philanthropists to support the future of paediatric excellence.

From 2013, Paul also generously extended his support of the RCH through his business, with KS Environmental having given more than $170,000 to date. This included becoming involved with the hospital’s RCH150 celebrations, by sponsoring and pre-purchasing an UooUoo, buying a table for the Anniversary Dinner, and serving as a member of the Anniversary Dinner committee.

When asked why he supports the hospital, Paul was clear. “The RCH is a Victorian and Australian icon, and I just can’t speak highly enough of the great work done.”