Antonio Milhinhos (b. 1943)
2005 Award

His history of giving was made possible from the success he sculpted from humble beginnings as a migrant from Portugal who arrived in Australia in September 1967.

When he arrived in Darwin in 1968 Tony worked on various construction projects and by the time he married in 1972 already had a small business. 

When Cyclone Tracy arrived Tony, his wife and another couple had a supermarket, which was very badly damaged, and the town was devastated.  The other couple wanted out so the Milhinhos family took it over and rebuilt the business, which they later sold.

By 1977 the family decided to start a mixed business of supermarket and hardware and that business became an instant success. 

The family's first large contribution to those less fortunate began with the Ash Wednesday fire victims.  The staff working at the store worked for nothing one Sunday and all the store's takings were donated.

Since then many big donations have gone to help others in need, such as farmers in drought affected areas, St. Johns Ambulance, Sommerville Community Services, Dragons Abreast, R.S.P.C.A. and Autism N.T.

Separate from these donations Tony has always been willing to assist local schools, sporting associations and charities with prizes and donations, as well as providing assistance in various ways for individuals needing help.

His most recent donation was for the Tsunami Victims Appeal by Care Australia.  Tony set up his own appeal at his shopping centre where he pledged dollar for dollar all monies donated up to $100,000.00.  It was a successful appeal in that the public donations total was reached in only 19 days, and cheques for $200,000.00 was sent to Care Australia by 17/01/05.

Tony is an honorary member of the Guide Dogs Association of SA & NT (Inc) and each year matches dollar for dollar the donations made in his shopping centre for Guide Dogs.

Tony received the James D Richardson Honour Award given to him by the Lions Club of Nightcliff in recognition of service to the community.

Coming from a modest background Tony has worked hard and assisted the development of commerce in a remote region. He has done well for himself and his family, but equally has returned the favour to the Australian community through his generous support for charity.  He insists that his success was only made possible with the help of his family.