Jeffrey Hopp

Jeffrey John Hopp is an Australian businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He was the founder and chairman from 1974 to 1988 of Jesus People Welfare Services Inc, Perth, Western Australia, now known as Perth City Mission.

Hopp opens one of the youth refuge centres with then Premier Sir Charles Court (circa 1982)

Early life

Hopp was born in Brisbane, Queensland, to Mervyn and Marjorie Jeffries. Hopp was educated in the Catholic school system in St Joachim's Primary School, Holland Park and Cavendish Road State High School. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1964 and settled in Perth Western Australia in 1968.

Career

After leaving home to join the Royal Australian Air Force, Hopp received a discharge of 'Services No Longer Required' to pursue a career as a musician and drummer in pop band, Richard and the Lionhearts in the Riverina district.

In 1974 Hopp founded Jesus People Inc (now known as Perth City Mission) to provide services and accommodation for homeless youth.[1] From a humble beginning in his garage, the organisation expanded to become the largest youth welfare service in Western Australia helping up to 3000 young people every year.[2] Hopp spent a month working with a brother organisation, Jesus People Inc. in Chicago working with homeless youth, drug addicts and young women in crisis.[3][4]

The largest source of fundraising for the charity came from concert tours and musical productions with big-name artists such as Cliff Richard, Amy Grant, Pat Boone, B. J. Thomas, Dion DiMucci, Barry McGuire and Paul Stookey from Peter, Paul and Mary. Hopp also was a producer of several local gospel musical productions such as Come Together, If My People and The Witness and produced Christmas at the Centre, a regular musical spectacular televised by Channel 7 Perth featuring such artists as Colleen Hewitt and Jon English.[5]

In 1989 after resigning as chairman and CEO of Jesus People Inc., Hopp created Awards Australia to recognise excellence across a series of awards programs including Young Australian of the Year Awards, the State Regional Achievement Awards, the Aged Care Awards for the Federal Government and through an invitation by the then Chairman of the National Australia Day Council, Phillip Adams, Hopp took over the running of the Young Australian of the Year Awards. He also added the Senior Australian of the Year Awards to the program.[6] In 2010 he founded the New Zealander of the Year Awards Program. Awards Australia was sold in 2014.[7]

Other activities

Hopp was also the founder of The Fundraising Group Pty Ltd in Australia and School Fundraising Group Limited. The Australian company was established in 1989 and the New Zealand company in 2011 helping schools in both countries raise funds to improve their facilities. Hopp is fully retired from this business and no longer has any association with the present company. Hopp has received many awards and acknowledgment for his charity and community work.

Recognition

References
  1. "Homeless Youth to get Long Term Refuge". The West Australian. 13 August 1983. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  2. "Jesus People pull out of Fairbridge". The West Australian. 12 January 1985. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  3. "Jesus People see Founder's Vision". The West Australian. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  4. Coxhead, June (1 July 1978). "Prison Was His Salvation". Vision Magazine. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  5. "Tycoon Charity". Western Mail (Western Australia). 25 May 1986. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  6. "Nominations open for WA Young Achiever Awards". Mandurah Mail. 10 November 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  7. "About Us – Awards Australia". Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  8. "HOPP, Jeffrey's profile". Winston Churchill Memorial Trusts. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  9. "Fellowship Awards to Five in WA". The West Australian. 2 July 1982. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  10. Hopp, Jeffrey John Clive (1988). "Jeffrey John Clive Hopp – biographical details on receiving 1981 Citizen of the Year Award for Community Service". Swan Fountain. State Library of Western Australia: 33. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
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