Support Us - Bequests

The importance of a will

A will is an important document and we all have a responsibility to make one. Your will ensures that your wishes are protected and acted upon as you would want.

In Australia, if we pass on without a will (intestate), an Act of Parliament controls the distribution of our assets. The effect is that your assets may not be apportioned according to your wishes. Your loved ones may not automatically benefit if this situation arises.

By leaving a will, you ensure that your estate will be dealt with according to your wishes by the executors you have appointed.

About bequests

A bequest is a gift and can be anonymous if you wish. It is an instruction contained within your will that specifically reserves part of an estate for a particular beneficiary.

Bequests can be made in a variety of ways to reflect your specific wishes. You can define personal assets such as shares, bonds, property, a fixed sum (legacy), or simply a percentage (residue) of an estate.
Your bequest provides an opportunity for you to make a tangible and lasting gift.
It remains a very special way of securing the future for others, beyond your lifetime.

How you can help us

For many years, bequests have ensured our ongoing commitment to provide free services to people who are blind or vision impaired, deaf or hearing impaired and Deafblind. Bequests can be directed to Guide Dogs SA for use at its discretion. These unencumbered gifts allow us to utilise funds in areas of particular need.

Bequests can also be directed to a specific area within our organisation, such as The Emanuel Schembri Foundation. This Foundation has been established for the sole purpose of generating much needed funds for our Guide Dog Training Program, for which we receive no Government funding.

All bequest matters are treated with the utmost respect and kept in the strictest confidence.

If you already have a will, you can add a codicil to include Guide Dogs SA, which can be a straightforward and inexpensive procedure.

If you choose to inform us about your bequest, you may enable us to acknowledge your gift during your lifetime. All known bequestors to Guide Dogs SA are presented with the option of becoming a Guide Dogs Forever Friend. Among other benefits, this arrangement ensures your name will be preserved in perpetuity in a very special area within our premises.

If you wish to discuss further aspects of leaving a bequest to Guide Dogs SA, you can either email our Bequest Officer at sion@guidedogs.org.au or contact Mr Shane Ion directly on 8203 8333.