Corporate Partner: Port of Brisbane
Interviewee: Edward Harwood, Community Relations Manager
From science on the water to proactively stabilising riverbanks in the Brisbane Catchment to help tackle sediment pollution downstream, Port of Brisbane’s culture of innovation dovetails neatly with the PA Research Foundation’s mission to back breakthrough research. With a deep focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of their own team and others, the Port’s support for skin-cancer education also makes this partnership deeply practical. We sat down with Community Relations Manager, Edward Harwood, to hear how the relationship began, what it means to employees, and why backing research matters.
Q&A
Q: For readers who may not know, what is Port of Brisbane and what do you do?
Edward: Port of Brisbane is Queensland’s trade gateway to the world. It handles more than 450 types of commodities with about 140 countries globally and supports 73,000 jobs across the supply chain, including over 10,000 in the port precinct alone. As Port Manager, Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd (PBPL) is responsible for providing the infrastructure and developing the port to grow trade sustainably for Queensland. It also manages the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal.
Q: Who owns the Port, and how does that shape your community outlook?
Edward: PBPL was privatised in 2010 and is owned by some of the world’s most experienced infrastructure investors, including our Australian securityholders, QIC and IFM Investors. They share our strong value of social responsibility, so partnering with the community is part of how we do business.
Q: When did your relationship with the PA Research Foundation begin, and why PAF?
Edward: The partnership took shape around 2013. A big driver was sun safety. Many of our team work outdoors on the water or on sites. Skin-cancer education is an issue that resonates strongly with us, and PAF’s researchers are pushing into prevention, early detection and better treatment. It was a natural fit.
Q: You’ve mentioned innovation as a shared value. How does that show up?
Edward: Innovation is in our DNA – it’s one of our core values. We are always looking for new solutions and ways of working to not only drive efficiency in our operations, but to support our customers in their own innovations to benefit the broader port community. Brisbane has been a national testbed for port innovation. For example, more than 10 years ago the Port of Brisbane was the first port in Australia where all three stevedores had automation in their operations. More recently, our teams have been working with partners to develop innovative approaches in areas like marine operations and sustainability to make things safer, more efficient, and better for the environment. Likewise, the PA Research Foundation directs funding to primary researchers and translational science. Backing smart people early, whether that’s engineers or scientists, moves whole industries forward.
Q: What does your support for PAF look like in practice?
Edward: It’s a mix: financial support, event sponsorship and employee engagement. Historically we backed the iconic Duck Race; today we support initiatives like PA Giving Day and the Smiddy Fun Run (directing funds to melanoma research).
Q: How involved are your staff?
Edward: Very. We’ve had teams run in the Smiddy Fun Run, we host TRI/PAH tours, and we attend the Mandate men’s health events at the Regatta. The Port also offers volunteer leave so our people can support causes close to their heart and employees can use work time to give back to their communities. Turning up matters; it builds social cohesion and reinforces our safety and community culture.
Q: Any personal or team stories that bring the partnership home?
Edward: Most of us have a skin-cancer story - many of us have had spots removed, and some colleagues have faced much more serious diagnoses. That makes the education piece real. There’s also pride in knowing our support helps researchers push towards solutions that can benefit thousands.
Q: From the organisation’s point of view, what’s the best part of being involved?
Edward: Contributing to innovation and being part of something that’s making a real difference to people across Queensland. We’ve also sponsored startup and innovation awards in Brisbane, so supporting researchers through the PA Research Foundation aligns perfectly with our values of finding innovative solutions.
Q: Why is research funding so important, in your view?
Edward: Because seed funding at the “source” of the problem changes the trajectory. Translational research can deliver new drugs, diagnostics and pathways that help tens of thousands of people. Australian researchers punch well above their weight; helping them keep momentum is crucial.
Q: What would you say to other businesses considering a partnership with PAF?
Edward: Employees want to work with companies that have a strong moral compass – those that walk the talk. A partnership like this is good for the community and good for culture. You can tailor involvement - education, events, volunteering, directed funding - so it’s meaningful to your people.
Q: Looking ahead, what does the future of the partnership look like?
Edward: We’ve had a long, proud history with the PA Research Foundation and expect that to remain part of our mix alongside environment, community welfare and education partners.
Q: Anything we haven’t covered that you’d like readers to know?
Edward: Just that safety and sustainability drive our decisions - from solar on our buildings to planning for what the port may look like in 2060 - and partnering with the PA Research Foundation is another way we look after people. If our people and customers flourish, the Port flourishes; if researchers flourish, patients do too. It’s all connected.
