Bruce McGregor AM established the Melliodora Fund with Australian Communities Foundation in 2006, alongside his wife Ann McGregor OAM. This marked one of many milestones the couple has realised on their more than 40 years in conservation and environmental advocacy — a journey defined by persistence, collaboration and a deep respect for community power.
Most recently, Bruce reached a new and unexpected milestone, being appointed a member of the Order of Australia for his service to conservation and the environment in the January 26 Honours.
“I felt a bit stunned,” Bruce reflects. “I’m humbled to have received an Australian Honour. It’s not something you plan to do. Other people nominate you. There’s peer review. It’s really got nothing to do with me in that sense — it’s affirming, but it’s about the work.”
The recognition acknowledges decades of volunteer leadership — mobilising and campaigning for the Merri Creek, co-founding community organisations to protect and restore the waterway, serving as a foundation member and board director of the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN), president of the Victorian National Parks Association, and advancing environmental philanthropy through the Melliodora Fund and beyond.
Collective strengths
For Bruce, however, none of it has ever been a solo effort.
“Environmental campaigns take time — often a decade or more,” he says. “You can’t do that alone. The real strategy, the effectiveness of campaigns, is about involving lots of people.”
Collectively, we know an awful lot. If you get that right, the combined knowledge and relationships of a group can be incredibly strong
Whether it’s on-the-ground conservation, advocacy or philanthropy, Bruce contends that meaningful change is always collective. Complex challenges, from biodiversity loss to climate impacts, demand shared effort and long-term commitment.
“Everyone brings different skills and networks. Collectively, we know an awful lot. If you get that right, the combined knowledge and relationships of a group can be incredibly strong.”
More than money
Philanthropy, in his view, extends well beyond financial contributions.
“You can provide moral support and allyship,” he says. “You can mentor, champion organisations, help them think through their strategy.”
Bruce is particularly passionate about the importance of flexibility in giving. “Core, untied funding is really important, it gives organisations flexibility to exist and grow.”
Through the Melliodora Fund at ACF, Bruce and Ann have found that structured giving has both strengthened and streamlined their work.
Having our Fund with ACF means we’ve got more time to do the things we want to do
“Having our Fund with Australian Communities Foundation means we’ve got more time to do the things we want to do,” Bruce explains. “ACF takes care of the administrative, governance and investment management side, which frees us up to focus on priorities — meeting people, visiting projects, participating in learning opportunities.”
In the past year alone, that flexibility has enabled travel to Darwin, Cairns, Sydney and Hobart to engage with environmental leaders, attend workshops and deepen philanthropic relationships. “We’re choosing to use that time to do more in this space,” he says.
Shared learning, stronger impact
Learning has also been central to their approach. As a foundation member and current board director of AEGN, Bruce highlights the value of peer networks for environmental funders.
“There’s been a lot of energy and information from workshops, webinars, conferences and field trips,” he says of both the ACF and AEGN programs. “If people are serious about environmental grantmaking, I’d encourage them to join AEGN and learn from others.”
When asked what encouragement he would offer fellow ACF Fundholders seeking to deepen their impact, Bruce emphasises openness and engagement.
“Be prepared to learn, engage with networks and meet like-minded people, and don’t be afraid to take risks on good people and good ideas.”
Learn more and get involved
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Main image credit: Jessie Borelle