2026-01-22
HOW WILL YOU BE REMEMBERED?
By Toni Payne, Bequests Officer, Australian Greens
Death. There, I said it. That word that we don’t like to contemplate. That thing we all avoid thinking about. But that thing that we all need to plan for because it’s inevitable. And our death can mean so much more than just the end of our life. It can be the start of an important legacy that makes a difference to the future of this planet.
The Australian Greens has a Gifts in Wills (or bequest) program called ‘EverGreen’. As you know, evergreen trees keep their leaves for more than one season, providing shade and habitat for people and animals. Leaving a gift to the Greens in your will can continue your lifetime’s values of support for the environment, for fairness and for justice.
Interview with ‘EverGreen’ member, Nick Ward from NSW
Q: Why did you join the Greens?
I have always been a political person. During my postgrad degree in Queensland I got involved in LGBTIQ+ politics and continued that for a while after university. Then, as you do, I got tied up in a very busy career for about 20 years, but managed to do some handing out of How-To-Vote cards during that time. I was made redundant just before COVID and I found myself sitting at home during lockdown thinking “well, if I’m going to change the world, if not now, when?” I was concerned about the lack of action on climate change, about the widening gap between the haves and have-nots and also about the state that our world was descending into. So I decided to join and become more and more politically active.
Q: What has been your involvement with the Greens?
I started my activism with being the Convenor of my local group (branch). Then I was involved on the campaign team of one of our candidates for the Federal election in 2022. From there I became a candidate in the NSW State election of 2023. Next was being a Federal candidate in the 2025 election. I’ve also been involved in the Greens’ NSW Parliamentary Liaison Committee and the Global Issues Working Group. I’m now Co-Convenor of the Greens NSW and there’s no turning back!
Q: How do you juggle full-time work with your Greens’ commitments?
When I was in high school I remember a teaching observing how many things I was doing while still managing to get good grades. He said to me “if you want something done, give it to someone who’s busy”. I think it’s because when you’re busy, you have to be organised. I believe that we can walk and chew gum at the same time. And the paid work we do often aligns with the values of the Greens.
Q: Why did you decide to leave a bequest to the Greens?
I’ve been lucky enough to work in a professional capacity for many decades. So I have some resources behind me. I have an 11 year old daughter and I’m concerned about the planet that she’ll grow up on. The planet will require some help in the future to sustain our younger generations. I wanted to leave something to the Greens to ensure that my daughter has an adequate planet for her future.
Having an up to date will is a final act of care and provision for your loved ones, so they won’t be burdened by unnecessary work after you die. We’ve all heard stories of the complications that people have faced because their relative died intestate (or without a valid will). Sorting out an estate takes so much longer, and involves so much more cost, than necessary when there’s no will - and it’s so avoidable!
Be prepared by having a valid will. And leave a beautiful legacy that will help people and planet well beyond your lifetime!
For more information on our program, please visit the EverGreen website or email us at evergreen@greens.org.au.
Alternatively you can call me for a confidential chat on 0403 551 828 (Tuesdays-Fridays).