Envirojustice Legacy Program
Your voice for environmental protection beyond this lifetime.
Why make a Will?
Your Will is one of the most important documents you will ever create. It is a way of ensuring that you are remembered the way you want to be, and that your legacy is carried out to your own specifications.
By including Environmental Justice Australia in your Will, you will be continuing to support work towards stronger environmental laws beyond your lifetime, for the benefit of everyone and everything you care about.
Testimonial
We are members of various country based environment groups such as Goulburn Valley Environment Group, EFN and Landcare and are both are very concerned about the world and environmental legacy we are leaving our grandchildren.
We’ve had firsthand experience in the value of Environmental Justice Australia.
Without their expertise, groups like ours defending our environmental assets would be even further disadvantaged in counterbalancing highly financed, connected and influential opponents.
We consider that protecting the environment for future generations is a natural legacy and responsibility of our very fortunate generation.
John and Robyn Pettigrew
How to make a Will
As a Will is a legal document, it must be dated and two people over the age of 19 must witness your signature. Witnesses must not be beneficiaries or the husband, wife, engaged partner or child of a beneficiary. The same pen must be used throughout the Will and no pages should be stapled together.
To avoid complications or errors, you should consult an expert such as a solicitor or public or state trustee.
If you already have a valid Will and would like to add EJA to it, you can add a codicil which is a legal document that must be signed and witnessed the same way as your Will.
Different types of bequests
Residual bequest: After providing for loved ones and paying all debts, the remainder of your estate is left to EJA.
Percentage bequest: A percentage bequest states that EJA will receive a certain predetermined percentage of your estate.
Specific bequest: you may designate that a specific item such as personal property (e.g. real estate, artwork, jewellery) be given to EJA. EJA welcomes property and land bequests, provided we are given permission to sell the land. Placing a conservation covenant on land ensures that the flora and fauna, water quality and the natural diversity of the land will be protected in perpetuity. Please ask us for advice on how to do this. EJA will sell these items.
Contingent bequest: this is a bequest made on the condition that a certain event occurs before distribution to the beneficiary. For example, you may designate EJA as a beneficiary if your spouse passes away before you.
Life Insurance and Superannuation Policies:EJA can be the beneficiary of a life insurance or superannuation policy (subject to terms of policy).
In memory donations: You may request that family and loved ones make a donation to EJA in lieu of flowers at your funeral or memorial.
Cash bequest: you may designate that a specific sum of money be given to EJA.
Suggested wording for your Will
To make a bequest to Environmental Justice Australia, we recommend the following wording:
“I bequeath to Environmental Justice Australia of level 3, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, Victoria, a specified sum, or specified items, or the residue of my estate free of all duties, and the receipt of the secretary or other authorised officer for the time being shall be a complete and sufficient discharge for the executors.”
Advising us of your Bequest
You are in no way obligated to do so, but we hope you will let us know if you have included Environmental Justice Australia as a beneficiary of your estate. Providing us with documentation of your intention is the best way to ensure that we receive the gift you have planned for us and we are best able to honour your wishes when we know of them in advance. Confirming a gift in your Will to us also gives you access to our Environmental Justice Legacy Members program.
Envirojustice Legacy Members Program
When you confirm a gift in your Will to Environmental Justice Australia, you will automatically become a member of our Legacy Members Program. Benefits of membership include:
- Exclusive member events
- Annual copy of Environmental Justice Legacy Newsletter
- Acknowledgement in our Annual Report (unless requested otherwise)
Contact us
For further information on the Envirojustice Legacy Program, please contact us on: Phone: (03) 8341 3100 Email: admin@envirojustice.org.au
