‘We don’t want to be philanthropists’: Australian couple who donated more than $100m to charity say it’s no big deal World news
Australian couple Quentin and Kylie Birt have donated more than $100 million to charity over the past two years, including a recent $40 million donation to FightMND. Despite becoming one of Australia’s biggest private donors, the Brisbane couple insist they are not trying to build a reputation as philanthropists. Quentin Birt, who made his fortune through civil construction company QH & M Birt, said the donations were simply about supporting people and causes that could make a real difference.
Why an Australian couple donated more than $100 million
The couple recently donated $40 million to FightMND during Melbourne’s Big Freeze event. The charity was co-founded by former AFL player and coach Neale Daniher, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2013.MND is a progressive neurological disease that damages the nerve cells responsible for controlling muscles. The disease currently has no cure, so research funding is critical to developing treatments and improving patient care.Burt said he was inspired to support FightMND after reading Daniher’s book and learning more about the challenges faced by patients and their families. His decision was also influenced by personal experiences, including the death of an employee shortly after being diagnosed with MND and a close friend suffering from a similar degenerative disease.FightMND’s donation is just part of the couple’s latest philanthropic efforts. Quentin and Kelly Burt have reportedly donated more than $100 million in the past two years.One of their largest donations was reportedly $57 million to the Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks program, which focuses on creating sporting, educational and employment opportunities for young people, particularly Aboriginal Australians in remote communities.Their giving spans medical research, youth development and education, suggesting their focus is on projects that create long-term social benefit rather than short-term advocacy.
From dairy farm to construction fortune
Quentin Burt’s story is one of significant social mobility. He grew up on a dairy farm north of Gympie, Queensland, and describes his childhood as a family environment of poverty.He began his career as a trainee railway engineer after becoming the first child in the area to attend high school. In 1973, he founded QH & M Birt with limited resources and secured its first contract to build a car park for Australia Post in Brisbane.Over the following decades, the company grew to become one of Australia’s largest civil construction fleet operators and completed billions of dollars worth of infrastructure projects. This success ultimately provided resources for the couple’s charitable giving.
Why they reject the philanthropist label
Despite their donations, the Bilts do not consider themselves philanthropists. Quentin Burt believes that generosity should not be measured by the size of the donation.He compared his contribution to a child saving a small amount of money for charity, saying both were examples of people doing what they could. In his opinion, the willingness to help is more important than the amount of the donation.The couple also said they were not actively seeking support. Instead, they are attracted to individuals and organizations with a clear vision and a deep commitment to solving problems.
Focus on impact, not recognition
One of the most striking aspects of the Birts’ approach is their tendency to stay out of the spotlight. Quentin Birt revealed that the FightMND donation was originally intended to remain anonymous until details became public.For the couple, the real credit belongs to the researchers, educators and community leaders who are directly addressing these issues. Their role, they say, is simply to provide support and help achieve meaningful results.
