Sponsors & Patrons

The wide public support which saw the formation of the Hunter Valley Research Foundation (HVRF) more than 50 years ago, is still very evident today with sponsorship of our activities from business, government and the community. It is this ongoing collective spirit that helps us maintain a regional research and monitoring program unmatched elsewhere in the country.

No other Australian region can boast the same level of access to regional facts and information about its economic, social, demographic and environmental make-up.
No other region can boast 50 years of continuous research documenting the developments and changes for an area and its people.
Our Sponsorship Program enables corporations, medium and small enterprises and individuals to contribute to research which delivers a level of independent, timely and expert information and analysis that would not be possible without their collaboration and the pooling of their funds. As a group our sponsors ensure our continued efforts.
The NSW Government has recognised the commitment of local enterprises to the work of the HVRF by maintaining continuous support. State Government funding is conditional on sponsor contributions with $3 given for every $5 raised from other sources (to a ceiling of $150,000).
In 2006-07 150 organisations and individuals supported the HVRF’s activities, constituting an elite club (over 90% were renewing Sponsors and Donors).

The vital role played by our Sponsors and Donors will be acknowledged this year through our research program and regional activities including:

Utilisation of an updated Input-Output model for the Hunter Region including analysis of the construction industry
50 year economic and demographic comparisons for the Region
Continuation of a research program launched in 2006 and examining indicators of well-being
Maintenance and improvement of our informative and user-friendly website
A program of special speakers at our economic breakfast, Lecture Series and Sydney Luncheon functions

The key achievements of our regional research program and associated activities in 2007 included:

38th edition of the Hunter’s “Yearbook”
Preparation of the 38th edition of Newcastle and the Hunter Region – being progressively updated on our website – due for completion in March 2008
Total investment - over $100,000
The publication contains over 360 pages of information about the Region and is the most comprehensive compendium of facts available for the Hunter. It will be published progressively to download free from our website – making it a truly regional resource. CD-ROMs of the yearbook will be available from June 2008.
Long-term commitment to Economic Research Program
Our flagship research program’s associated publication – Hunter Region Economic Indicators – celebrated its 100th edition in 2005. The research program has provided a quarterly assessment of the Hunter’s economy since the 1980s and is widely used to assist decision-making in the Region.
Upper Hunter Economic Indicators publication
Regular monitoring specifically for the Upper Hunter commenced in 2002 and is now conducted six-monthly. The Upper Hunter Economic Indicators publication is released every six months at a very successful breakfast function held at Muswellbrook in the Upper Hunter.
Business and community events
Events conducted throughout 2006-07 including Hunter Economic Breakfasts, Newcastle Dinner, Sydney Luncheon and Lecture Series.
Invitations were circulated to over 12,000 individuals throughout the year.
Guests numbered over 4,000
Testing community and business attitudes to a range of topics in the Hunter and Upper Hunter
Over $100,000 is spent each year conducting research across 5,000 business and households using 15 omnibus (or multi-client) surveys. The survey is used to collect economic information for our Indicators publications, as well as significant other research across a number of areas including:
· Environmental attitudes and plastic bag usage
· Workforce issues such as recent work experience and desired hours of work
· Dining out and consumption of take away foods
Publication distribution
- Over 3,500 publications were distributed to Sponsors and others.
During the year the Foundation produced:
- Hunter Region Economic Indicators (quarterly)
- Central Coast Economic Indicators (quarterly)
- Upper Hunter Region Economic Indicators (six-monthly)
- Hunter Region At A Glance (annual)
- Central Coast At A Glance (annual)
- Investment Projects: Hunter Region and Central Coast (quarterly)
- HVRF News (quarterly)
Expertise and advise
The Foundation spends a significant amount of time providing input into groups such as Hunter/Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority.

The Foundation achieved over 100 mentions in the Newcastle Herald in 2006-07 reflecting the level of contact the organisation has with local media who regularly seek comment from Foundation staff on a range of topics.
Community Involvement
Highlights of our involvement in community and regional projects:
- 24 hour, 365 days a year recordings for Maryville weather station
- Annual School Geography competition conducted since 1988
- Launch of new HVRF website in April 2007 as a regional research resource
- Annual community Lecture Series attracting over 2,300 people to two lectures featuring leading Australian speakers

The Foundation is recognised by business, governments and the community as one of the Hunter’s most prominent community supported organisations.

For detailed information about our Sponsor and Donors Programs and the benefits available go to and Sponsor Categories pages.