KIT Blog

The EB Charitable Trust has been generously supporting people affected by leprosy through The Leprosy Mission Australia for decades. This year, the time has come for the trust to close. Recently, it sold all investments and all funds were distributed to its chosen charities. The Leprosy Mission Australia being a major benefactor. Praise God for this faithful provision!

The final gift has been directed to provide substantial support to Leprosy Mission Hospitals in India still reeling from the COVID crisis. In gratitude and celebration for all the Trust has accomplished, please join us in honouring its founders William Edward Blackeby and Eileen Maude Blackeby, and their diligent and caring administrators — their children — Graham, Roger, Anne, Paul, and Peter.

William Edward Blackeby was born in 1909 to William Augustus Blackeby and Agnes Maude Blackeby.

His father William Augustus, born in 1869, commenced working as a baker at the age of 11. This was the first apprenticeship in any trade in South Australia. After several different jobs, he became a confectioner and was later to become a Managing Manufacturing Confectioner making sweets from a factory in Adelaide and then selling his products in the Adelaide Central Market from 1906.

When William Edward (known as Bill) left school at the age of 15, he went to work for his father. The business later became W A Blackeby & Son. Prior to William Augustus’ retirement he wrote to his son Bill and daughter-in-law Eileen, offering the business to them.
In this letter he wrote:

“I do not want you to do anything in business, just because your father did it, either in the way of donations or overweight sweets. I only want you to be upright and honest before God and man. Talk to God about your business, ask Him to manage it for you, as I have always done, and He has never failed me. I have no fear that you will not know the same.”

Bill was a very humble and generous man. As far as his children know he regularly supported at least 27 charities plus gave donations to churches, schools, and individuals. Most of his donations were given anonymously. That is why the trust name didn’t include “Black” and was called “The EB Trust”.

Daughter Anne recalls, “One day in 1981 when we children were together, our father said that he had helped us during our lives and as we were all reasonably well off, he intended to set up a Trust to give money to charities.

“As a Christian, he had a heart for people especially for children, disadvantaged and those experiencing difficulties.

“He consequently set up the company “GRAPP PTY LTD” (Graham, Roger, Anne, Paul, Peter) with a trust “EB Charitable Trust”. This was from his personal money and was solely and specifically for charities. No individuals or any family member were to have any personal gain from this Trust.

“After our father’s death in 1997, we his children as Directors and Trustees of The Trust, have always endeavoured to honour his heart and intent for the distribution of the gifts. We have been blessed to be a blessing in enabling dad’s legacy to continue to help others”.
The EB Charitable Trust had a maximum of 40 years to operate which expired this year. But what a blessed 40 years it has been! Thank you, William, Agnes, Bill, Eileen, Graham, Roger, Anne, Paul, and Peter!

We give thanks to God for the Blackeby family and The EB Charitable Trust. Join us in praising God for His faithful provision! Praise God that as part of the body of Christ, we all have a part to play in His plans. In Him we can trust! Amen!

If you are moved to end leprosy and transform lives through providing a Gift in your Will,
please contact Jolene Molloy via email at jolenem@leprosymission.org.au or FREECALL 1800 537 767 TUES-FRI 9.30AM – 2.30PM

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight” – Proverbs 3: 5-6