Clive Berghofer declared a Queensland Great

One of Australia’s most generous philanthropists, Toowoomba businessman Clive Berghofer AM, has been officially proclaimed as a Queensland Great.

The honour was announced by the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at a ceremony in Brisbane last night.

Mr Berghofer has donated $80 million to date, and currently gives an estimated $90,000 each week to charities, community and sporting groups, and emergency services.

“I am very humbled to have been named a Queensland Great,” Mr Berghofer said.

“I’ve worked hard my whole life and now I’m enjoying supporting the community in as many ways as I can. It’s a huge privilege to be able to support so many worthy causes.”

Having left school at 13 and struggled with dyslexia for his whole life, Mr Berghofer went on to become a highly successful property developer.

In 2013, he pledged to donate $50.1 million to QIMR. At the time it was the largest announcement of a philanthropic donation by an Australian and it came on top of $10 million he had previously given to the Institute. In recognition of Mr Berghofer’s tremendous generosity, QIMR changed its name to QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.

QIMR Berghofer’s Director and CEO, Professor Frank Gannon, said Mr Berghofer deserved to be recognised as a truly great Queenslander.

“Clive Berghofer’s generosity, particularly in the fields of health and emergency services, regularly saves lives,” Professor Gannon said.

“His tremendous support of medical research at QIMR Berghofer stands to improve treatments for diseases, not just in Queensland, but worldwide.

“Clive Berghofer is a true leader. His generosity has inspired others to donate to causes that are benefiting the whole community.”

Mr Berghofer has also represented his community as a local Councillor, as the Toowoomba Mayor, and as the Member for Toowoomba South in the Queensland Parliament.

In recognition of his philanthropy and political service, Mr Berghofer was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2006.