IAM: Giving something back.

Corporate Social Responsibility at Watermark

At Watermark, we recognise that our business is part of a wider community, both locally and globally. As such, we believe that we have a responsibility to try and make a difference to more than just our bottom line.

Just like our company, our philanthropic history stretches back over 150 years. Today, we constantly strive to make the most of the opportunities we have as an organisation by providing assistance where possible and putting in to practice our belief in a more environmentally sustainable future.

How do we help?

Employee Volunteering

Our Employee Volunteering program allows every employee two paid days each year to donate their time to a community initiative of their choosing.

For example, a large group of employees volunteered as part of the clean-up operation following the Victorian bush fires in 2009, after being touched by the tragic stories of a Watermark colleague who hid with her grandchildren in a wine cellar. They were set to work assisting in the rebuilding of fences, coming away overwhelmed by the scale of the job ahead but heartened by the fantastic spirit of those affected.

Pro bono Services

We appreciate that the legal expertise we hold within our company is a valuable commodity and that this is one of the best ways that we can give something back. "Pro bono" is a term that is used to describe the provision of services for no fee, or at a reduced fee. Through pro bono work Watermark has the opportunity to assist disadvantaged persons or organisations, providing legal services they could not otherwise afford.

Our lawyers have gained a great deal of satisfaction through assisting not-for-profit organisations like Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation, BrainLink and Young People in Nursing Homes with IP-related legal issues.

Corporate Charity Giving

We have a Corporate Charity Committee that selects recipients for our annual charitable donations, and all employees are invited to nominate causes that they feel particularly passionately about.

We aim to help charities both at home and abroad, and this year we have made donations to Redkite and Engineers Without Borders Australia. Redkite supports children and their families through cancer by providing financial assistance, emotional support and help with education. Engineers Without Borders Australia works in partnership with disadvantaged communities, both in Australia and overseas, to provide locally generated grassroots engineering programs which offer sustainable solutions to issues preventing development, such as access to drinking water, sanitation, energy and waste systems. 

In previous years we have donated to Australia's world famous Royal Flying Doctor Service and Beyond Blue, who work to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related substance misuse disorders in Australia. Beneficiaries with a global scope include Médecins Sans Frontières, an international organisation offering medical humanitarian aid, and Plan, who help children in developing countries.

Fundraising

We encourage and support fundraising activities for specific community organisations, causes, programs or projects.  Employees can volunteer to coordinate and be involved in a fundraising activity and we have a long history of involvement in events such as Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, raising money for cancer research.

Watermark is also the proud sponsor of 'Kiss Goodbye to MS', one of the yachts competing in this year's Sydney to Hobart race. The crew, which includes Watermark's Ian Lindsay, are partnering with MS research and have renamed their yacht for the race to help raise awareness of the disease. We wish them all the very best of luck for the race and for their wonderful fundraising initiative. For more information visit the Beyond Outrageous Yacht Racing website and if you would like to sponsor Ian, please go to: http://www.everydayhero.com.au/ian_lindsay

Board Membership

Watermark understands the importance of sharing our knowledge and experience by way of Board memberships. We encourage our employees to volunteer for positions on Boards and Committees in order to contribute something back to the industry which has helped their professional development along the way.

Our Environment

Watermark is committed to corporate sustainability. We have a Committee who are dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of our business processes, such as: recycling paper, printer cartridges, plastic, glass and other waste; adopting green energy practices and green cleaning services suppliers; and ensuring that the goods and services we buy use sound employment and environmentally friendly practices.