Photo: In July 2023, GPT staff provided a cheque for our latest donation of $6,000 to Dementia Australia and the staff enjoyed a morning tea to celebrate.  

Dementia Australia

Grand Pacific Tours (GPT) are proud to fundraise for our nominated charity, Dementia Australia. 

Dementia Australia exists to support and empower more than 400,000 Australians living with dementia and the more than 1.5 million people who are involved in their care. Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia, and it remains one of the most challenging conditions.

The team at GPT began fundraising in 2007 when the organisation was formerly known as Alzheimer’s Australia. 

In 2007, staff set up a charity committee and asked everyone to nominate a charity they had a connection with. The chosen charity was Dementia Australia, largely due to the connection that several staff members had with family members suffering from this condition, as well as the majority of people effected by Alzheimer’s being the demographic that travel with us.

In the first year of the committee’s operations, a huge $15,000 was raised from a Winter Ball event, Trivia night, several social functions and snack boxes in the office.

A large portion of the fundraising each year has been the collection of ‘spare coins’ from our travellers on the farewell night of their tour. Travellers are given an opportunity to donate any New Zealand coins or notes before they head back to their home country. A collection tin is handed around at the farewell dinner by the local host.

The GPT staff in Melbourne dedicate all fund-raising efforts throughout the year to contribute to the annual monies raised including Winter Warmer lunches; Trivia events; snack box plus more.

General Manager, Stacia Morris comments “Having a nominated company charity is a fabulous initiative and choosing Dementia Australia as ours is heartfelt. It is a cause that resonates with our travellers who are within the senior demographic, with many families and friends affected. It is nice for GPT to give back to such an important cause.”

Since 2007, GPT has donated a cumulative total of $95,000 to Dementia Australia.