Bequests

PROTECTING THE BUSH AND ITS WILDLIFE THROUGH YOUR WILL

 

In your Will we have a rare opportunity to help care for our ancient Australian landscape and its unique animals and plants. By making a bequest to Bush Heritage, you can play a vital part in the national effort to save 22 million hectares of key habitats, the area considered necessary to protect forever our native species.

If you love the bush, and wish to help protect it beyond your lifetime, please join with us. Like many other bequest supporters who have chosen to make this very special gift, you’ll be helping ensure that those who follow us will be left with a land that offers them the diversity, beauty and opportunity that we have all enjoyed.

Choosing your bequest

It’s important to seek the advice of a qualified solicitor or trustee when making your Will. The Law Institute or Association in your State or Territory can refer you to a solicitor.

Here are some ways in which you can make a bequest to Bush Heritage:

• leave the residue of your estate after specific bequests have been left to family and friends
• leave a nominated portion or a fixed percentage of your estate. This guards against the effects of inflation over time
• leave a specific gift, such as property or shares

Remember to review your Will every few years to ensure it still reflects your wishes.

Bequests of land

If you wish to make a gift or bequest of land to Bush Heritage, we recommend that you contact us first to discuss your wishes.

This is not a legal requirement but gives us the opportunity to discuss with you any issues that may arise regarding the future conservation or management of your property. When we are made aware of an impending gift or bequest of land, together we can resolve any anticipated concerns about its future maintenance.

The right wording

To make your bequest to Bush Heritage, you may like to use the following wording as a guide:

‘I bequeath, free of all duties [insert here details of the bequest] to the Australian Bush Heritage Fund ABN 78 053 639 115, with the written acknowledgement of the Secretary or other proper officer of the Australian Bush Heritage Fund to be accepted by my executors as a full and complete discharge.’

'Bush Heritage Australia' is our trading name. To be certain that your bequest reaches us, it is important to use our full legal name ('Australian Bush Heritage Fund') and include our registered Australian Business Number ( ABN 78 053 639 115).

Adding to an existing Will

If your existing Will is satisfactory but you would like to include a bequest to Bush Heritage, you can add a codicil. It must be signed and witnessed in the same way as your Will. Always seek legal advice when making any changes to your Will.

Tax issues

Bequests of property to Bush Heritage (including land, buildings, shares) are exempt from capital gains tax. In some circumstances, there may be tax advantages if you donate property to Bush Heritage during your lifetime rather than bequeathing it through your Will. More about tax concessions.

Please let us know

We understand that making your Will is a very personal matter. But if you have already included Bush Heritage in your Will, or are considering doing so, it is a great help if you let us know. We would like to thank you personally, and this provides the opportunity for you to discuss your wishes with us.

All bequest information passed on to Bush Heritage is held in the utmost confidence.

Further information

If you’d like to discuss your bequest ideas, or advise us of an intended gift, please email one of our Bequest Co-ordinators at bequests@bushheritage.org.au or alternatively telephone Anne Peedom in Sydney on +61 (0)2 9967 3701 or Merrilyn Julian in Melbourne on +61 (0) 3 8610 9120.

You can download the PDF of our bequest brochure, Protecting Our Natural Inheritance: Your guide to making a bequest to Australian Bush Heritage Fund below.  Please complete the form from the brochure,  mark your envelope "Confidential" and return to: Bequests, Bush Heritage Australia, P O Box 329, Flinders Lane, Melbourne, VIC 8009.

Your bequest will make a profound and lasting difference to protecting our landscapes and our wildlife for generations to come. Thank you.

Photograph by Wayne Lawler - Ecopix