Tax win for Fiji charity

By Casey Neill
A FERNTREE Gully man’s annual donation of sporting equipment to Fijian school children will now be tax free.
Spirit of Sharing founder Peter Cole described the Fijian Finance Minister’s decision to exempt his containers from taxes and duties as a ‘big win’.
“Each year we have been facing charges of up to $40,000 per container and have had to bargain with them (the Fijian Government) for weeks in advance to get it down to $1000,” he said.
Mr Cole met with the minister, former Fijian Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudry, on a two-week logistics trip to the Pacific island nation in March.
The next shipment is set to take place early next year. The good news was announced at a trivia night at Wantirna Club last Friday.
The Spirit of Sharing and Victims of Crime Association event raised $2170 for the two groups.
Mr Cole thanked Wantirna Club function manager Darren Mayer for free use of the venue and Dave and Christine Callanan from Star Trivia for running the night.
He is inviting offers for a signed Collingwood Football Club jumper donated by Doug Andrews from Wizard Home Loans Boronia, with funds to go to The Spirit of Sharing.
Tax deductible donations to The Spirit of Sharing and bids for the jumper can be made by calling Peter Cole on 0439 997 583 or 9758 7994.