01 December 2010

BHP Billiton will commit $600,000 to the Julian Burton Burns Trust over the next four years to advance burns education and prevention across South Australia.

The partnership with BHP Billiton will enable the Julian Burton Burns Trust to increase its reach to tens of thousands of South Australian school children and their families as part of its BurnSafe schools program and community education activities across the State.

The Julian Burton Burns Trust is Australia's leading community organization committed to prevention, care and research into burn injuries. Its BurnSafe  program educates students and their families about the incidence of burn injury, prevention strategies and first aid.

“BHP Billiton is pleased to support the Julian Burton Burns Trust and its important work in the South Australian community,” BHP Billiton President Uranium Customer Sector Group, Mr Dean Dalla Valle said.

“The BurnSafe Schools program aligns with our own corporate values of promoting safe behaviours in the workplace and at home.

“By supporting this program, we hope we can contribute to reducing the risk, incidence and impact of burn injury in our community.”

Julian Burton Burns Trust Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Mr Julian Burton, said BHP Billiton’s partnership matched a recent commitment of $600,000 from the State Government to deliver a $1.2 million community education program.

“BHP Billiton’s support will see South Australia as the national leader in burns prevention and education across Australia,” he said.

“Our partnerships with BHP Billiton and the State Government will enable the Burns Trust to reach thousands more children in metropolitan and regional schools.

“They are making it possible for us to expand our BurnSafe school program to provide South Australian families with information and skills to reduce the risk, incidence and impact of burn injury.

“Their support will also enable the Burns Trust to engage private foundations and Philanthropic Trusts which will further increase the reach and impact of our work.”

Julian Burton OAM established the Julian Burton Burns Trust in 2003, one year after he suffered life threatening third degree burns in the Bali bombings.

In the course of Julian’s recovery and rehabilitation, he was inspired to support those who helped him by giving something back to the community and those in need.

Julian was named South Australia’s Australian of the Year in 2010 as a result of his efforts to raise funds for prevention, care and research in burns injury.