Outgoing Australian of the Year Simon McKeon has called on the nation's wealthiest citizens to take up philanthropy and try to emulate their US counterparts.
Australians were a generous people, as shown by its rankings in the World Giving Index compiled by the UK-based Charities Aid Foundation, he said.
But in his final speech as Australian of the Year in Canberra on Wednesday, Mr McKeon, there was a contrast between the wealthy in the US and Australia when it came to philanthropy.
"Not withstanding we have the stronger economy, I suspect one factor working in the US' favour is the attitude of that nation's ultra wealthy, numerous millionaires led by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett, have pledged that they are actively giving away much of their wealth," he said.
"I believe it has a positive behavioural impact on the rest of the nation.
"It is dispiriting for so many that who are trying to do their bit for the community here to see once a year courtesy of the BRW rich list that too many are not giving or at least not on a basis whereby where they feel it."
Mr McKeon said his central focus during his time as 2011 Australian of the Year was the critical role of the not-for-profit sector in the community.
"How all of us can actually, each and everyone of us, play a part in that sector," he said.
He described himself as an ordinary person who was an "unusual choice" for the national award.
"I'm no celebrity, no global authority on any particular issue, just an ordinary person who is interested in a range of causes," the former investment banker turned supporter for the not-for-profit sector said on Wednesday.
Mr McKeon's interests include indigenous charities, overseas aid, education, more business involvement in the community and multiple sclerosis (MS).
He was diagnosed with MS around a decade ago and a founding chairman of MS Research Australia.
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