Tom Gunning

Tom Gunning of Mosman was a benefactor of the Big Brother Movement (the predecessor of today's BBM Ltd) and the youth migration scheme that the organisation ran in partnership with the Australian Government.

In 1950, his bequest enabled the purchase of a large two story house in the Sydney suburb of Homebush, which was renovated and altered to provide accommodation for up to 30 young migrants, known as 'Little Brothers' at the time.

The building was named Gunning House, and over its years of operation approx. 2,700 young men had passed through the lodge.

In 1982, the sponsored migration scheme ended and Gunning House and all other assets of the organisation were sold. The funds were invested and the organisation evolved into the BBM Ltd of today. After nearly six decades of supporting young people to migrate from the UK to Australia, BBM began to support young AUstralians to travel overseas for work experience.

Today's Global Footprints Scholarships are the legacy of the Little Brothers who came to Australia pursuing work in agriculture and trades and the scheme’s benefactors such as Tom Gunning.

To honour this legacy, we annually award a Global Footprints Scholarship “In honour of Tom Gunning”.