Brisbane Couple Donates $100M, Calls It 'No Big Deal

Quentin Birt doesn't want to be called a philanthropist, even though he and his wife Kylie just donated their second fortune in two years.

The Brisbane couple handed $40 million to Neale Daniher's FightMND foundation at the Big Freeze event in Melbourne, bringing their two-year giving total past $100 million. They tried to keep it anonymous, but word got out anyway.

"A little kid that decides to save up bottle tops and donates $22, you might consider it's the same," the 86-year-old said. "He's done what he could, and I've done what I could."

Birt's connection to the cause runs deep. One of his employees died within weeks of an MND diagnosis, and he watched a friend battle a similar disease. Reading Daniher's book inspired him to act big.

"We said if we can do it, we will," he explained. "We had lunch with the bank and the rest is history."

His journey to nine-figure generosity started on a dairy farm north of Gympie, where he grew up "very poor." With his father's encouragement, he became the first kid in his district to attend high school.

In 1973, Birt started his civil construction company with a station wagon, wheelbarrow, and shovel. His first job? A Moorooka carpark for Australia Post that paid $10,000. Today, Q H & M Birt operates Australia's largest civil construction fleet, completing over $2 billion in projects this past decade.

Why This Inspires

Birt calls his giving "selfish" because it's what he loves to do. "We've got some dollars behind it, but in a weird way it's surplus to my hobby," he said.

The couple doesn't hunt for causes. Instead, they watch for passionate people who need a boost. Last year, they gave $57 million to the Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Program, opening pathways for athletes in Northern Territory and South Australian football leagues.

Seven years ago, a visit to the School for Life facility in Uganda launched their charitable journey. The work "blew him away," and he's supported it ever since.

"You see people are anxious to get something done, and know that they will get it done with a little bit of help," Birt said. "In the end, we play the minor part because you're hoping it gets done."

For someone who insists he's not trying to be a philanthropist, Birt sure knows how to move mountains.