We believe that we have a responsibility to assist the communities where we operate. Once ARA becomes committed to an organisation, we remain consistently committed as we attempt to build a meaningful partnership.
As an inherent part of the ARA culture, we believe our support for our communities makes us a better company.
In 2020, the ARA Group established the ARA Historical Novel Prize in partnership with the Historical Novel Society Australasia and provides $150,000 of prize monies making this literary prize the richest genre prize in Australia and New Zealand.
In addition, the ARA Group is the Principal Partner of the Sydney Writers’ Festival. ARA has supported the Sydney Writers’ Festival since 2016. The ARA Group has also been the Principal Partner of the Melbourne Writers’ Festival since 2020.
The ARA Group is the Principal Partner for Property Services for the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and we have made a multi-year commitment to NIDA. As a part of the ARA Principal Partner sponsorship, three $10,000 scholarships are given each year to three Indigenous students studying at NIDA.
In addition to being the Principal Partner of the SWF, the ARA Group contributes significantly to Russ the Bus to promote and boost literacy in children.
The ARA Group is a key partner of the Story Factory, a not-for-profit creative writing centre for young people in under-resourced communities across New South Wales. The goal of the Story Factory is to build writing skills, confidence, and creativity.
ARA is also the Principal Partner of the Monkey Baa Theatre, a preeminent children’s theatre company. The Monkey Baa Theatre immerses school age children in the development of theatre production.
ARA’s longest partner in the community is the Taronga Zoo. ARA is a Crown sponsor and began supporting the Taronga Zoo in 2009. Our annual contribution has grown consistently during the period of our support.
ARA is a National Partner of the Property Industry Foundation. The Property Industry Foundation aims to have a tangible impact on Youth Homelessness.
The ARA Group acknowledges the connection of people, land and communities within the areas that we work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
We seek to maintain meaningful partnerships by undertaking the appropriate engagement practices within our business and for our communities. We know the importance of respecting, understanding and sharing the oldest living cultures in the world.