VFFF Annual Report 2015 Cover image: New England Conservatorium of Music Side by Side choir winter 2014 Creating a lasting legacy (photo credit Simon Scott) As the inheritor of a long family philanthropic tradition, and a belief that wealth and position bring a responsibility to serve the community, Sir Vincent Fairfax established the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation in 1962. ‘This action was taken on the basis that my children are well provided for and, hopefully, in their turn will contribute further assets to this family pot of gratitude for all the benefits we have received since landing in Australia in 1838.’ Sir Vincent Fairfax, CMG 1973 Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation has distributed in excess of $120 million across Australia. Sir Vincent and Lady Nancy Fairfax’s children and grandchildren continue the family philanthropic tradition today. VFFF strives to honour its Founders’ legacy and to play the most useful role it can, joining the efforts of many to meet contemporary Australia’s challenges and opportunities.
InVision honouring our founders’ VFFFMission aspires to a stronger and beliefs and intentions, the brighter future for Australians in (photo credit: Michael Holmes) Vincent Fairfax Family NSW and remote areas of the north. Condobolin Annual Show 2014 Foundation seeks opportunities We help disadvantaged young to benefit and care for – Christianity 22 people reach their educational Australians and our country. Contents – Community Wellbeing 26 and social potential. Introduction 01 Strategic programs Sir Vincent and Lady Nancy Fairfax 02 We enhance services and opportunities – Place-Based 32 Chairman’s report 03 for rural and regional communities and – Children and Prison 34 Chief Executive Officer’s report 04 support the viability of the Australian – Social Impact Investment 36 Finance and investment report 05 agricultural sector. Supporting Australian philanthropy 37 Highlights 2015 06 Founders’ interest distribution 38 We support a spiritually rich society Our work in 2015 08 New Generation philanthropy 38 that values Christian faith in action. Thematic grant making Vincent Fairfax Ethics in Leadership – Education 10 Foundation 39 – Agriculture 18 Our Board and Team 40
VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 1 We also continued to devote Ruth has been on several not time, expertise and funding for profit boards which focus to enhance capacity in on early intervention, young Chairman’s Condobolin and we thank children and youth and is a the community for assisting current member of the Board us to target areas they see of The Boys and Girls Brigade. as important. Report Sue Cridge is a passionate We continue to seek systemic educator with over 30 years’ change through our Children experience and is the Director of and Prison program. Further, Bright Spots School Connection VFFF continues to I am pleased to see that by for Social Ventures Australia. In Sir Vincent and Lady Nancy Fairfax find collaboration working closely with the 2003 Sue was acknowledged Dusseldorp Forum we are as an Outstanding Education an effective way to responding to the findings Leader by the state of Victoria of our research report, and awarded a Sir Winston increase the impact Dubbo Conversations, most Churchill Fellowship in Education. Sir Vincent and of our work. significantly by supporting Sue spent five years as Executive A grant to the Centre for a capacity building position Director of Citizens Schools New Healthy Brain Ageing towards in Dubbo. Mexico, establishing expanded learning opportunities for Lady Nancy Fairfax The Dementia Momentum You may read about this was made in conjunction with important work to decrease underserved public schools and The imprint of Sir Vincent and Lady Nancy Fairfax remains the Yulgilbar Foundation, the over-representation of led the Innovation Program at the providing VFFF with valuable indigenous children in the Australian Institute for Teaching strong across the work of the VFFF today. access to their medical experts juvenile justice system further and School Leadership. during the due diligence on in this report. I look forward to their ‘When a man has been VINCENT FAIRFAX was NANCY FAIRFAX was an process. We worked with contribution to the Board given much, much will born in rural Queensland Social Ventures Australia I formally note my thanks to my in the coming years. advocate for the needs fellow Directors for generously be expected of him; and and maintained links to and the Origin Foundation to extend to Western Sydney the giving their time and insights Tim Fairfax AC the land throughout his and rights of young the more a man has had National Exceptional Teachers to VFFF, to members of the Chairman entrusted to him, the life. He held numerous children and the value of for Disadvantaged Schools Audit Finance and Investment more he will be required directorships and official early childhood education. Program, with the Cages Committee for protecting positions in the business Foundation to assist Barnardos our corpus and to CEO Jenny to repay.’ (Luke 12:48:) She was VFFF Chairman and media fields. to establish partnerships in Wheatley and her team for from 1993 to 2001 and Indigenous-led out of home their contribution to the smooth He was a Christian man Patron until her death in care organisations and with operations of the Foundation 2007. the Caledonia Foundation and and engaging with the wider who was patient, generous Dusseldorp Forum to provide philanthropic sector. Lady Fairfax bequeathed and set people from all ongoing operational support In accordance with our rotation a large part of her estate walks of life at ease. His to The Social Outfit. policy and having served the to the Foundation and integrity and interest in We sought innovative ways VFFF very well Joy Yeo and was awarded an OBE, an to assist our grantees, such Annabel Dulhunty have retired others were strong and Honorary Doctorate of as providing a ‘challenge’ and we warmly welcomed as a family man, Vincent Letters and an Order of grant to the Refugee Advice Ruth Armytage and Sue Fairfax was in his element. Australia for her work. and Casework Service and Cridge as new Directors. Ruth supporting the Australian Armytage is the youngest In 1960 he was made a Futures Project to convene daughter of Sir Vincent and Commander of St Michael Actions for New South Wales Lady Nancy Fairfax and was and St George (CMG) and Agriculture. an early childhood educator and teacher. created a Knight Bachelor in 1971.
2 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 3 Chief Executive Finance and Officer’s Report Investment Report
In 2014/15 VFFF embarked on a program The investment of the corpus of VFFF and VFELF in a to approach our grant making in a diversified portfolio is overseen by the Audit, Finance different way and determine levers that and Investment Committee (AFIC) with the assistance would improve educational equity in of Cambooya Pty Limited and JANA Asset Consultants. New South Wales.
The Fair Education Working I thank Pete Goss from the We continue with our VFFF VFELF Group was established in Grattan Institute and Eric Grants Trainee program, December, comprising Board Jamieson from the New South farewelling Rebecca Ninness 2014/15 2013/14 2014/15 2013/14 members, family members, Wales Education Department and welcoming Candice Van Portfolio market value $186.6m $177. 5m $6.4m $6.5m subject matter experts and for giving freely of their time Doosselaere. Rebecca has Distributions $7.1m $6.4m $0.4m $0.35m the VFFF team. and expertise to the Working taken her learnings and is Cumulative distributions $122.6m $115.5m $4.92m $4.52m Group. This was a rich and making a valuable contribution Over the next six months, challenging experience and to another family foundation Distributable income 2014/15 $7.8m $6.3m $0.48m $0.52m through a series of sets VFFF up well for further while continuing her studies. presentations, reviewing Future commitments* $6.1m $3.2m $1.6m $2.0m impactful grant making in research and considering Candice has been instrumental * Future commitments are conditional on available funds in the distribution account. the area of Education. what might be a key area in improving the experience upon which to focus, the We also enhanced our grant for our grantees by enhancing Directors have set a distribution target of $8.7 million for VFFF in the 2016 financial year. Working Group defined a goal making process by increasing processes and providing that if implemented would the remit of the (formerly effective guidance to those Combined operating expenses 2015 2014 improve educational equity. “small”) Grants Committee, with early stage enquiries. Operating expenses $868,214 $842,039 which consists of younger It also defined a series of Thank you to the Board, family members, from $25,000 Operating expenses as a % of distributions made 11.60% 12.50% outcomes aimed at helping members of AFIC, the to $50,000 allowing the Operating expenses as a % of net assets 0.50% school leaders in low socio- Cambooya investment 0.40% Board to focus on larger more economic areas involve parents team and the VFFF team for complex opportunities. and communities in student your support, energy and During the financial year AFIC met on four occasions in relation to the financial governance of VFFF learning. Recognising the importance commitment to having the and VFELF. The Board extends their appreciation to KPMG who provide their audit services on an of transparency and feedback, VFFF deliver the best possible honorary basis. You may read more about the VFFF will participate in the impact. workings and outcomes from next round of benchmarking of Audit, Finance and Investment Committee Members the Fair Education Working I look forward to another James Millar AM, Chairman philanthropic organisations and Group, later in this report. year of effective contribution Nicholas Fairfax allow this to inform our future to Australian philanthropy in Michael Murray work. As the year concluded we 2015/16. Christopher White went “live” with our enhanced online grants management Jenny Wheatley system, which will streamline Chief Executive Officer our application and acquittal process for grant seekers.
4 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 5 Tim Fairfax AC, Chairman David Hardie, Senior Program The engagement of the Next Jenny Wheatley, CEO Supporting the growth of the Officer 2015 Generation with VFFF would delight I so enjoy my work with the next impact investment pool and Vincent and Nancy Fairfax, they are working with School for Social generation of the Fairfax family. contributing in a very special way, Suzanne Cridge, Director Entrepreneurs, Social Traders and By offering a variety of ways for As a new Director, chairing the Fair which is encouraging for the future. SVA as VFFF seeks to achieve our family members to engage with Education Working Group was both With our excellent staff they are able ambitious goal of investing 5% VFFF, I believe we take a step an exceptional induction and an to learn and practise philanthropy of corpus on a social returns first up each year in relation to how opportunity to develop a substantial from a grassroots level, something I basis by June 2017. the family participates in the VFFF investment in education. The Highlights certainly never had the opportunity foundation’s work. This thoughtful expertise of a range of community to experience. preparation means that the future leaders and the contributions from of VFFF is in very safe hands. family and team members, was an inspiring testament to the calibre of the VFFF reputation and the ability to impact through this important work.
Sally White OAM, Director I was thrilled and proud to attend St Andrew’s Cathedral School Year 12 Valedictory Service which Emily Fuller, Foundation Manager Angus White, VFFF Director Ruth Armytage AM, Director included five Gawura students, Finishing the Dubbo Conversations and VFELF Chairman A highlight was visiting Condobolin who had navigated their way report and seeing its findings and James Millar AM, Director, It’s always great to visit regional and witnessing the BackTrack through nine years of school. recommendations start to come AFIC Chair program “Paws Up”. 14 young to life; the community’s views I was pleased VFFF chose to NSW, and meeting with the Gawura was established in 2007 people from Armidale who ‘have informing what VFFF could do to devote time and resources to communities around Condobolin as an indigenous primary school lost their way’ training, working try and keep kids out of prison. We identifying a goal and outcomes with VFFF Foundation Manager set within the Cathedral School and handling dogs for jumping. are lucky to have started working which will seek to make a truly Emily Fuller was a highlight. I had and was VFFF’s first indigenous Three similar boys from Condo with a great bunch of Dubbo catalytic contribution to improving a first-hand update on the use project. VFFF funded fellowships Annabel Dulhunty, Research Officer watched on initially, and within the people who are giving their all to Funding in rural and regional equity in New South Wales of VFFF funds, and witnessed for two of those graduates. hour they were handling the dogs help kids having a tough time. Australia is an area close to our education. her quietly engaging and highly productive relationships with the and communicating with the other founder’s and my heart. Actions for community. kids. Dogs are not judgemental. NSW Agriculture is an exciting early stage initiative that has brought together a diverse and dedicated group of people, with a common interest in the future success of agriculture. The connections made through this process will be invaluable not only for the participants but rural philanthropy.
Candice Van Doosselaere, Grants Officer Having lively conversations on Geoffrey White OAM, Trustee topics as wide as politics, physics Emeritus The Honourable Robert Cartwright, and social justice at The Aspiration Having been asked to investigate Director Sue Goudie, Executive Assistant the Moore Theological request The site visit to the Social Outfit Initiative’s Study Intensive camp I am grateful for the work was a wonderful experience. The some time back I was pleased at Newtown, an excellent example of the Walter and Eliza Hall that the VFFF decided to support of giving the dignity of work and students’ prospects of studying Supplementary Trust who assist abroad at prestigious universities the College: it is an important purpose to those previously locked so many in surviving a crisis. Their training institution for young people out of these in our community. when they finish school highlighted small grants program is a tribute the valuable support of their destined to work for the community to the generous spirit of their mentors and peers throughout the as church workers and leaders. The founders. five year program. VFFF is one of the few foundations able to make large distributions to 6 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 strengthen Christianity in Australia. VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 7 Distribution overview FRRR ABC Heywire, Boots for Change, Northern Gulf Resource Management Group 79 $7,106,126 75% $89,951 Distributions Distribution Of distributions Average total were multi-year distribution Beyond Empathy, Festival of the Brogla, commitments size Moree December 2014 (photo credit: Raphaela Rosella) Funding by theme Our wor in 2015 Achieve social outcomes
THEMATIC GRANT MAKING % Theme Distributions Total funding 28% Christianity 10 2,006,132 Education Agriculture Christianity Community Wellbeing 26% Education 30 1,835,820 Catalytic 22% Community Wellbeing 22 1,567,802 Capacity 5% Agriculture 4 379,000 Continue family philanthropy building 5% Place-Based Program 5 389,499 Preventative 4% Children & Prison Program 3 298,600 NEW GENERATION PHILANTHROPY 1% Social Impact Investment 1 80,000 3% Supporting Australian Philanthropy 3 225,000 GRANTS COMMITTEE Thematic grants $50,000 5% Founders’ Interest 1 324,273 Total 79 7,106,126
Increase impact and improve practice SUPPORT Geographical snapshot OUTCOMES STRATEGIC AUSTRALIAN ANALYSIS PROGRAMS Region No. distributions % of funding $ PHILANTHROPY Place-based New South Wales 62 81% 5,775,094 Children and prison % Social impact investment National 15 18% 1,267,032 81 Remote Northern Australia 2 1% 64,000 Of funds directed to initiatives Total 79 100% 7,106,126 in NSW
8 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 9 Thematic grants
Education Philanthropic objective To provide opportunities for disadvantaged young people (0-25 years) to reach their educational and social potential.
Funding snapshot $1,835,820 26% 30 Total funding Proportion of funding Distributions
67% $61,194 57% Multi-year distributions Average distribution Of distributions reach size rural and regional areas
Priority outcomes Beneficiaries
850 4% Indigenous young people 6% Young people in rural and regional680 areas
10% Young people in
disadvantaged510 areas of Greater Sydney 8% % % 16 10 Young people with disabilities 340
% Multiple beneficiaries 2 9% 18% 170 10% 7%
School Retention in Access and 0 readiness education or opportunity Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation, APY Lands, SA, August 2015 (photo credit: Hailey Bartholomew) training
10 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 11 (photo credit: Simon Bennett) Prairiewood High School students raising awareness of homelessness in the community Education (continued)
Bangarra’s Rekindling Program, 2015 Education distributions Patrick Thaiday with participants (photo credit: Jhuny Boy Borja) Assistance Dogs Australia Desert Pea Media PAWS Sydney $10,072 Desert Stories $24,000 To help families with children with autism To deliver a song writing project with to source and train a companion dog. Indigenous young people in Yirrkala/ Maningrida, NT, exploring social and cultural issues. Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation KidsXpress Expansion of the Early Language and Literacy KidsXpress Business/Strategic Development Program to Bowraville and Nambucca Heads, Team $63,180 (total $195,283) NSW $187,000 (total $561,000) Supporting salary costs of three recently To help community members prepare established part-time positions in business their children for formal literacy, to aid their development, relationship management and transition to and success at school. communications, to facilitate business growth and free up funds for program delivery. Bangarra Dance Theatre Rekindling $100,000 Liverpool Neighbourhood Connections A dedicated education program using dance Multi-purpose sports court in Warwick Farm to connect Aboriginal youth with their cultures. $25,000 Towards construction of a court for young people in Warwick Farm to provide a safe Barnardos Australia space for recreational activities. Partnerships for Out of Home Care $200,000 (total $600,000) High Resolves To partner with Aboriginal agencies and Monkey Baa Theatre Education Program $80,000 (total $300,000) High Resolves’ Global Citizenship and Leadership Programs communities towards better outcomes for Aboriginal children in out-of-home-care. Engaging young people in the arts through provide students in Years 7 - 10 with the tools and workshops, as well as creating professional confidence to be purposeful global citizens and lead development opportunities for young and Be Centre emerging artists and teachers. their communities. Early Intervention Play Therapy $25,000 St John’s Park High School student For early intervention play therapy for Aboriginal leaders working on school project High Resolves has made the most of what they describe as children aged 3-13 years in the Glebe area. Moorambilla Voices (photo credit: Daniel Adobaw) a catalytic grant to evolve their core work and develop their Moorambilla Mums $15,000 (total $45,000) organisation. They have redeveloped their curriculum and its Towards the employment of ‘Moorambilla Mums’ Belvoir Street Theatre to support the choir program in Far West NSW. delivery to engage better with students in low SES areas and Regional Workshop Program $25,000 made their program scalable and sustainable through a revised Towards the delivery of theatre workshops pricing structure. Curriculum development has shifted to for secondary students studying Drama, Queensland University of Technology focusing on affective and behavioural learning domains Textiles & Design, English, Visual Arts and National Exceptional Teachers for Disadvantaged through action-based learning. VET Entertainment in regional NSW. Schools Program expansion to the University of Western Sydney $135,561 (total $199,622) $909,000 High Resolves reached over 11,000 Western Sydney students A teacher training program that works to attract, Beyond Empathy prepare, support and employ the most effective over the funding period. Year 8 students took part in interactive 3Moree $25,000 over three years towards teachers for historically underserved low simulations, hands-on activities and group discussions to A program to mentor teachers at Moree East the rollout of the High SES schools. develop their skills. Students in Years 9 and 10 put their Public School in new and innovative teaching Resolves Global Citizenship skills into practice to benefit the community, carrying out and community engagement methods, to and Leadership Programs 42 separate projects, covering a diverse range of social improve student educational outcomes. The Song Room to 40 schools in issues such as depression, homelessness, social inclusion Arts Connect $59,280 ($118,560) and gender equity. A creative arts program in 10 primary schools Western Sydney. Big Brothers Big Sisters in low SES areas of South Western Sydney. Big Futures In-school Mentoring Program, “After today, I would like to remember that no matter where Central Coast NSW $50,000 (total $100,000) I am, who I’m with, what I’m doing or how I do it, I can always To implement the program in 10 schools in NSW, University of NSW - Football United make a difference to the world I’m living in. This world is up to reaching 600 high risk students in years 7-9. Creating Chances $24,500 Working with three Penrith High Schools, us to take care of and I thank you for giving me the opportunity this project aims to support 45 girls who are to learn more and experience life to the fullest.” disengaged from school through a life skills – YEAR 8 STUDENT AT AUSTRALIAN ISLAMIC COLLEGE OF SYDNEY. program using sport as an engagement tool.
12 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 13 Education (continued) Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation This program uses best practice early childhood education and White Lion State Library of NSW Links to Learning - Men’s Shed Training and FAR OUT! Treasures to the Bush $30,000 speech language pathology to develop pre-literacy skills among Mentoring Program for young people $20,000 (total $90,000) young children. Providing young people in Fairfield with mentoring and skills development through a partnership with Sydney Story Factory Delivered across 62 sites in five states, the program has up-skilled Dural Men’s Shed. Establishing a fundraising position $31,533 424 adults to support the language and literacy development (total $74,283) of more than 4700 children. The program was specifically designed by Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation Winston Churchill Memorial Trust T he Benevolent Society (ALNF) to compensate for learning challenges such as hearing Barbara Matthews Churchill Fellowships in early Cluey Kids Program in Western Sydney $561,000 childhood education ($45,000) $35,000 (total $160,000) loss and developmental delays. At the core of the program is a The Barbara Matthews Churchill Fellowship to over three years to expand five day Certificate IV course to improve the capabilities of early explore research collaborations between music University of Canberra the Early Language and years educators, teaching assistants, parents and community education programs and neuroscience laboratories The Aspiration Initiative in NSW $50,000 Literacy Program to members to enable them to support children with the basics of – USA, Canada (Dr Anita Collins) (total $350,000) Bowraville and Nambucca English language development. ALNF also provides participants with practical resources and ongoing mentoring to build their The Barbara Matthews Churchill Fellowship to University of Technology, Sydney - Heads, NSW investigate sustainable and successful models confidence and capability to be literacy supporters. of Full Service Schools – USA, Canada, UK Health Psychology Unit ‘Side by Side’ Disruptive Behaviour Disorders The project in Bowraville and Nambucca Heads is an expansion (Mrs Jacqui Hamblin) Project $100,000 (total $300,000) of an existing Macleay Valley/Kempsey project, supported YWCA of NSW over a number of years by the CAGES Foundation. The Macleay Community in the Kitchen, Lismore region Valley project has successfully grown from three sites in 2008 Continuing distributions $40,000 (total $150,000) to 24 sites in 2014. Working closely with the CAGES Foundation, Australian Research Alliance for Children VFFF reviewed strong research and anecdotal evidence of the and Youth program’s efficacy, with measurable pre-literacy improvements right@home, nurse-family partnership $250,000 Scholarships and high levels of parent engagement with the ALNF resources (total $1,000,000) and strategies. This provided a strong basis for VFFF to support a University of Western Sydney staged expansion to the nearby communities of Nambucca Heads Bell Shakespeare Vincent Fairfax Scholarship awarded to Georgia and Bowraville. Regional teacher development program Fait-Jeboult to study a Bachelor of Natural Sciences and two remote school residencies $50,000 (Animal Science) (total $225,000) Jobs Australia - BackTrack, Armidale Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Operational funding for BackTrack $50,000 The Nancy Fairfax Churchill Fellowship to (total $300,000) understand effective ways to use early childhood data with Indigenous communities – Canada, USA, Musica Viva UK (Ms Jennifer Lorains) In Schools Program in regional NSW $35,000 The Nancy Fairfax Churchill Fellowship to explore (total $105,000) factors for the participation of Indigenous families St Andrew’s Cathedral School in early childhood programs – Canada, USA Gawura student scholarship $26,630 (Mrs Sandra Lascelles) (total $79,710) The Nancy Fairfax Churchill Fellowship (in honour of Barbara Matthews) to explore how St Andrew’s Cathedral School findings in neuroscience can optimise student Gawura student scholarship $24,064 outcomes in Australian primary schools – UK, (total $92,130) USA (Mrs Fiona Walker)
Recipients
ALNF, Two Ways Early Language and Literacy Program, Groote Eylandt, NT
(photo credit: Hailey Bartholomew).
14 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 15 Fair Education Program - Theory of Change
Fair Education What will VFFF do to What activities What are the What is VFFF’s The Fair Education Program is a joint initiative of the VFFF Board enable the required could produce the outcomes required specific goal? and extended Fairfax family arising from a shared motivation to activities to occur? outcomes required? to achieve our goal? make a catalytic contribution towards educational equity in NSW. To inform this work, VFFF established a Over a series of eight meetings from Fair Education Working Group that drew February to May 2015, the Group: on existing knowledge and experts in the area of education and equity. The Group • identified a focus within the broad agenda VFFF provides annual Grants program Leadership teams have School leaders included representatives from Grattan of educational equity operational funding to provides individual the capacity and in low Institute and the NSW Department of deliver the Fair schools and school motivation to drive an • set a clear goal relating to that focus Education Program. clusters with an outward looking school socio-economic Education & Communities alongside incentive ($), clear culture that is areas are more members of the Fairfax Family and VFFF • identified outcomes required to achieve VFFF provides objectives and target responsive to the effective at Board. A Theory of Change framework this goal; and multi-year funding to outcomes to design community. was used to guide a staged process, • articulated the characteristics of activities NSW low SES schools and deliver activities involving starting with the desired goal and working that could produce these outcomes. to strengthen their that strengthen family Families and parents and backwards to envisage a philanthropic family and community and community communities are communities in engagement. involvement in student willing to support program that would be effective in student learning. achieving that goal. learning. student’s learning in VFFF provides annual and out of school. funding for program Expert coaching evaluation. supports school Schools in low SES leadership teams to areas work together to embed high impact make communities into activities. learning environments where students can Evaluation framework access real world tracks outcomes and learning. builds evidence on high impact activities The pipeline of future to influence wider school leaders value practice. and have the capacity The specific activities will to engage families and be designed by schools communities.
In September 2015 VFFF approved a multi-year commitment to establish the Fair Education Program in partnership with Australian Schools Plus (ASP). VFFF looks forward to working with ASP in 2015/16 so that more young Australians may have access to a great education regardless of where they live, the school they attend or their family’s background.
Gondwana Indigenous Children and Sydney Children’s choirs with the visiting African Children’s Choir. (photo credit: Paolo Febbo)
16 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 17 Thematic grants
Agriculture Philanthropic objective To support the viability of the Australian agricultural sector.
Funding snapshot $379,000 5% 4 Total funding Proportion of funding Distributions
50% $94,750 100% Multi-year distributions Average distribution Of distributions reach rural size and regional areas
Priority outcomes Beneficiaries
225 225 Australian agricultural industries 180 180 Young people
135 135 59% 59%
90 90 41% 41%
45 45
0 0 Agriculture is a Increased awareness FRRR ABC Heywire, Boots for Change, Australian Farmers Markets Association Inc, Moruya NSW career of choice about the national importance of agriculture
18 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 19 Agriculture (continued) Australian Futures Project Given philanthropy’s low profile in agriculture, VFFF works proactively to source funding opportunities in this theme, including seeking people and approaches able to innovate in this area. 2015 Agriculture distributions VFFF approached the Australian Futures Project about working with farmers and other agriculture stakeholders to achieve concrete La Trobe University - Australian Futures Foundation for Rural and Regional outcomes that could contribute to ensuring the viability of the Project Renewal agriculture sector. Actions for NSW Agriculture $154,400 FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants: (total $263,000) AgGap – Pathways to Agriculture & Boots for Australian Futures Project took up this challenge and proposed To facilitate agriculture sector engagement to Change – Family Farms $43,450 $263,000 a process to bring together a diverse group of leaders, decision- identify and design three actions or innovations Ag Gap will send young people to a working farm makers and other agriculture stakeholders through a series of to support the viability of agriculture in NSW. for a number of weeks to gain exposure to the To facilitate agriculture workshops. Utilising a process that builds the will and skill of skills and experience required for a career in sector engagement to participants to take collaborative action, Actions for NSW Agriculture Primary Industries Education Foundation agriculture. Boots for Change will raise awareness identify and design three is a concerted intervention to achieve comprehensive progress on Core operational costs $100,000 (total $200,000) of the importance of the family farm and where actions or innovations to the issues that are challenging the viability of the sector. Bringing together the Australian Government, our food comes from. Led by a Steering Committee of industry leaders, an outstanding primary industries organisations and the support the viability of cross-section of agriculture stakeholders has been selected education sector to enable primary and secondary Pathfinders agriculture in NSW. school students to learn about the agricultural ‘Tilbuster Station’ Farm-based Learning following a public application process. From July 2015, this group will industry and careers in agriculture. for young people $81,150 progressively identify, design and test tangible actions to contribute Equipment to expand operations and enable to a prosperous future for agriculture in NSW in three areas: income generation through farm work. • Foster a culture of innovation across the agricultural supply chain • Increase capital investment across the agricultural supply chain • Improve the level of community trust in the agriculture industry.
“Take 50 people with energy, drive and great ideas. Get them working together for 12 months and you’ll be amazed by the results,” – RALPH ASHTON, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR, THE AUSTRALIAN FUTURES PROJECT.
FRRR ABC Heywire Ag Gap ambassador Percy Duncan UWS Hawkesbury, sheep farmer near Canowindra, NSW (photo credit: Dr Girija Page) Recipients
Participants at Q Station, North Head (photo credit: Eva Worden)
20 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 21 (photo credit: Matt Marasco) St Philip’s Church, Church Hill Anglican Thematic grants
Christianity Philanthropic objective To encourage interest and participation in Christianity.
Funding snapshot $2,006,132 28% 10 Total funding Proportion of funding Distributions
60% $200,613 60% Multi-year distributions Average distribution Of distributions reach rural size and regional areas
Priority outcomes Beneficiaries
Anglican1500000 Dioceses 11% Young people
Early1125000 stage Anglican churches
750000 65% 1%
375000 23%
1% 0 Leadership Increased Pastoral development interest in care Christianity St Barnabas Church Broadway, Sunday evening service
22 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 23 Christianity (continued) Moore Theological College Since 1856, Moore College has provided theological training to prepare people for Christian ministry and mission. 2015 Christianity distributions As the leading NSW provider of theological training to prepare ministers for the Anglican Church, the work of Moore T heological College St Albans Anglican Church, Moore College is strongly aligned with the objective and The Being Moore Campaign $1,300,000 Frenchs Forest priority outcomes of the VFFF Christianity theme. over two distributions (total $2,000,000) Youth & Young Adult Leadership Development Towards the redevelopment of the Sydney $23,000 The $34m redevelopment of the Sydney campus at campus at Newtown. Towards employment of a Youth Minister to guide Newtown is a project that will transform the College $2,000,000 and support youth leadership development. facilities. The redevelopment will create a purpose Over two years towards Naremburn Cammeray Anglican Church built facility incorporating a new training precinct, a the Being Moore Campaign Redevelopment of Cammeray All Saints Church St Barnabas Church, Broadway 430 person capacity Assembly Hall and new classroom $435,000 Employment of a Female Assistant Minister facilities. The expanded Moore College library and - redeveloping the Sydney Towards the redevelopment of Cammeray $50,000 research centre will be the largest theological library in campus at Newtown All Saints Church to provide for a growing Towards employment of a female pastor to train, the southern hemisphere. congregation. develop and mentor young female Church leaders. Recognising this as an investment in the future leaders Nungalinya College of the Anglican Church, VFFF was pleased to be a lead College Creche $40,000 supporter for this redevelopment. The Foundation A crèche for the preschool children of students invested early to encourage others and to provide from remote communities undertaking theological Moore College with additional surety to progress the and vocational study. development and construction approval process.
Continuing distributions Church Hill Anglican Hope For Sydney $33,000 (total $98,000)
Harbour Church, Shellharbour Youth Minister $16,632 (total $46,941)
Ministry Training Strategy Church Hill Anglican, Sydney MTS Scholarship Program $100,000 (total $200,000)
St Peter’s Anglican Church, Shoalhaven Heads Children’s and Youth Worker $8,500 (total $39,000)
Recipients
MTS apprentices at the G8 National Conference 2015 +Cottier) (photo credit: Luke Walker) (Architect: Mark Louw from Allen Jack Artist's impression of Moore College building, Newtown
24 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 25 Thematic grants
Community Wellbeing Philanthropic objective To contribute to a stronger and brighter future for Australians, particularly those experiencing significant disadvantage.
Funding snapshot $1, 567,802 22% 22 Total funding Proportion of funding Distributions
86% $71,264 45% Multi-year distributions Average distribution Of distributions reach rural size and regional areas
Priority outcomes Beneficiaries
1250 13% Refugees and asylum seekers Rural and regional populations1000 16% Older Australians
% 750 5 Multiple beneficiaries % 12 Other 500
34% 250 4% 5% % % 6 6 0 Innovation Opportunity Economic and development Parents’ Café Fairfield, ‘Little Baghdad, The Long Table’ dinner party, June 2015 (photo credit: Helen Tran) participation
26 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 27 Sarah Dale, lawyer at the Refugee Advice and Casework Service at the Auburn Centre for Community, July 2014 Community Wellbeing (continued)
2015 Community Wellbeing distributions CareerSeekers Parents’ Café Fairfield Seed funding $100,000 (total $200,000) Core operating support for the establishment Establishing paid internships for refugees and of the Parents’ Café Fairfield Inc. $180,000 asylum seekers who have been granted approval (total $450,000) to settle in Australia and possess the necessary Providing a range of support and opportunities work rights. for parents of newly arrived refugee students at Fairfield High School. Creativity Australia MyChoir “How To” project $30,300 Refugee Advice and Casework Service (total $86,000) Fundraising challenge grant $142,958 over Towards the development of resources three distributions (total $660,000) to expand the “With One Voice” program A challenge grant of up to $660,000 over two to local communities, particularly in rural years to assist Refugee Advice and Casework and regional areas. Service transition to a new financial model.
Critical Stages The Social Outfit NSW Regional and Rural Program $24,500 Operational support $87,564 (total $356,560) Touring high quality, relevant and accessible Providing education, training and employment theatre to regional and remote communities opportunities in the fashion industry to refugee in NSW. and new migrant communities.
Jesuit Social Services University of NSW Dropping off the Edge: the distribution of Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing - The Dementia disadvantage in Australia 2015 $60,000 Momentum $100,000 (total $300,000) A research initiative mapping social To harness international research to identify, disadvantage across Australia. develop and validate strategies to Refugee Advice and delay, ameliorate or even prevent dementia. Literacy for Life Foundation Casework Service YES I CAN Aboriginal Adult Literacy Women in Prison Advocacy Network Campaign, Bourke $25,000 (WIPAN) Established in 1987, RACS provides free, expert legal services To support the roll-out of the fourth WIPAN Mentoring Program, Western Sydney to asylum seekers and refugees in need. program intake. $80,000 To expand the WIPAN Mentoring Program to RACS strives to ensure that individuals and families at risk of adult women ex-prisoners in Western Sydney. persecution gain access to equal and fair representation before Museum of Contemporary Art ARTFUL: A program for people living the law so they may be granted due protection in accordance with dementia $70,975 (total $220,000) with Australia’s international obligations. To develop and deliver an arts program for After 85% of its funding was retracted by the Federal Government, older Australians with early and middle-stage RACS presented VFFF with a comprehensive fundraising strategy dementia and their carers, incorporating research and evaluation. to develop an independent future. This resulted in a Challenge Grant, suggested by VFFF as a means to incentivise RACS and its potential supporters. Under the terms of the grant, VFFF committed A challenge grant of up to to contributing up to $660,000 over two years. For every dollar raised by RACS, VFFF provides another $0.33 once its quarterly $660,000 fundraising target has been reached. over two years to assist “RACS is now providing more legal advice to people striving to Refugee Advice and obtain safety than at any time in our 26 year history. The Challenge Grant has provided RACS with a clear incentive to reach and exceed Casework Service (RACS) The Social Outfit store our fundraising and humanitarian goals. It has also had the effect transition to a new in King St, Newtown financial model. of affirming everyone connected with RACS, from our staff to our volunteers and supporters, but especially the worthy and resilient people we serve every day.” – RACS Parents’ Café Fairfield (photo credit: Ali Mousawi Photography)
28 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 29 Community Wellbeing (continued) Jesuit Social Services In 2007, Jesuit Social Services and Catholic Social Services Australia commissioned ground-breaking research into place-based disadvantage across Australia. The 2007 Dropping off the Edge Report succeeded in shaping government approaches to locational disadvantage and has informed many others working to tackle entrenched poverty. Former client of the Asylum Seekers Centre, Prosper, reunited with his family The Jesuit Social Service proposal to update this research (photo credit: Michael Amendolia) offered an opportunity to draw further attention to the locational $60,000 nature of disadvantage in Australia, and to identify and learn Continuing distributions Scholarships from communities that have succeeded in bucking the trend Towards ‘Dropping off or have turned things around. Asylum Seekers Centre of NSW Arthritis Foundation Australia the Edge’, a research Casework support for asylum seekers in AFA-ARA Heald Fellowship awarded to Dr Saltana initiative mapping social Inequality and social disadvantage are important areas of Greater Sydney $40,000 (total $180,000) Hussain of the Department of Epidemiology and focus for VFFF. This research calls for targeted responses that Preventive Medicine, Monash University for her disadvantage across are relevant to community context and need, a position project titled Towards a better understanding of Charles Sturt University Australia consistent with VFFF’s experience in place-based work. Accommodation scholarships for dentistry low back pain. students $84,798 (total $1,013,077) Dropping off the Edge 2015 shows clearly that complex and Royal Australasian College of Physicians entrenched disadvantage is experienced by a small but persistent Jawun Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation Research Supporting expansion to the Central Coast, NSW number of locations in each state and territory across Australia. Fellowship awarded to Liang-han Ling for research $75,000 (total $225,000) The public release of the Report generated significant media titled Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure: Exploring coverage and public discussion around these important issues. Justice Connect Determinants of Adverse and Favourable MOSAIC: Migrant Outreach Service $75,000 Outcomes. (total $150,000) Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation Research Entry Scholarship in Rural Health awarded to Outback Theatre for Young People Dr Marie Shanya Malalasekera for her research Employment of a part-time Development titled Understanding the Patient Journey to Manager $31,200 (total $62,400) Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Cancer. Sydney Institute of Marine Science Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation Research Entry (SIMS) Scholarship awarded to Dr Tejawasi Kandula Community Outreach Director for the for research titled Chemotherapy-induced SIMS Harbour Research Project $120,000 peripheral neuropathy in the paediatric (total $435,000) population: risk factors, assessment strategies and functional outcomes. Walter and Eliza Hall Supplementary Trust Small grants for individuals in necessitous circumstances $183,282 over two distributions (total $793,184) Women’s Community Shelters To employ the inaugural CEO $57,225 (total $228,900)
Recipients
30 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 31 Condobolin Christmas 2014 2015 distribution Continuing distributions (photo credit: Michael Holmes) Western Plains Regional Development Beacon Foundation Operational funding $117,101 Beacon Program in Condobolin High School Towards core operations and leadership coaching $62,411 (total $208,411) for the Executive Officer and Management Committee members over the next 12 months. Condo Café incentive funding Supporting community initiatives in the four areas identified by the Condobolin community as priorities – Education & Young People, Strategic Programs Employment & Industry, Community spirit & Stability, Service & Infrastructure $18,374 (total $60,000) In the last four years, VFFF has sought to increase its impact and Recipient improve its philanthropic practice through a number of strategic Many Rivers Microfinance Microenterprise development in Central West initiatives. These programs are opportunities to invest VFFF’s NSW $126,175 (total $375,438) resources beyond the financial including time and networks towards achieving greater outcomes. Western Plains Regional Development (Linking the Lachlan Initiative) Community Connection Officer position $65,438 (total $178,738) Place-Based Taking a long term view with a geographically- A research project – Growing Lachlan – defined community has been identified as a driven by the Linking the Lachlan Initiative promising philanthropic approach. The idea and supported by a range of local entities of VFFF’s Place-Based Program is to support is about to get underway. It will identify a specific community to work on the issues it and communicate Lachlan Shire’s strengths sees as important. and challenges through data collation and community discussion, enabling residents, VFFF has worked closely in Condobolin policy makers, service providers and funders and the Lachlan Shire in the Central West to work together towards building a more of NSW since 2012, supporting a range of successful and prosperous community for organisations and activities. all. Growing Lachlan will also provide an Some of the initial grants made in 2012 have, evidence-base and springboard for the next or are close to concluding this year. These stage of VFFF’s work in Lachlan Shire, and in were predominantly foundational or capacity 2016, VFFF will work with local stakeholders to building grants, investments in the core determine its most useful role for years 4 to 7 operations and people power in important of the program. local organisations.
Funding snapshot $389,499 5% 5 80% Total funding Proportion of Distributions Multi-year Harvest, Condobolin, November 2014 funding distributions
32 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 33 Strategic Programs (continued)
Children and Prison
Funding snapshot $298,600 4% 3 100% Total funding Proportion of funding Distributions Multi-year distributions
The idea was well-received in Dubbo and In 2013 with Dusseldorp Forum (DF), VFFF discussions were held with 87 community made a commitment to provide philanthropic members between August and December support towards reducing the over- 2014. representation of Aboriginal children in Dubbo Conversations* documents the the NSW juvenile justice system. community’s views on the questions: Most Mick O’Loughlin with Keenan, Ewan and Conner from Youth Off The Streets, Bourke (photo credit: Mark Hollam) Aboriginal young people in Dubbo do not end Acknowledging the complexity of this issue, up in the juvenile justice system. What makes our first task was to determine – where can the difference for them compared to those philanthropy’s contribution have the greatest that do enter the system? And therefore, impact in reducing the numbers of young what can be done by philanthropy? Aboriginal people being incarcerated in NSW? Our aim was to tap into local knowledge We decided to undertake community consultation and experiences to reveal practical to inform this task and our funding decisions. insights and suggestions about what In April 2014, we convened a Reference Group works, what is needed and what can be who advised we focus discussions in Dubbo, done – to change the path of children on which has high rates of youth recidivism as well track for incarceration. The report made as thriving young Aboriginal people, to identify recommendations of high potential activities ways to increase the number of those on positive to support, which were endorsed by the pathways and reduce the numbers in and out Reference Group in March. of custody.
Short-term Medium-term Long-term Responding to community Strengthening the system Addressing complex issues 2015 distribution Continuing distributions Improved service coordination and collaboration Children and Prison Program Dubbo Aboriginal Legal Service Grants program for high Coordinated casework from Transitional housing Progress Dubbo Conversations To develop the case for a Justice potential local activities first contact with court recommendations $125,000 (total $275,000) Reinvestment trial in Bourke, NSW $73,600 Build on existing specific Cross-sector training package Intensive support for $75,000 per annum for three years to (total $147,200) programs identified families progress the ‘short term’ recommendations Broad-scale mentoring in Dubbo Conversations and $50,000 towards operational resourcing in Dubbo. This Apostolic Church Australia funding is matched by Dusseldorp Forum. - Eternity Aid A small Working Group that brings together those identified in Dubbo Conversations as important Operational funding for Eternity Aid’s work and effective in supporting young people began in August. The idea is to enhance coordination with young offenders, their families and and collective action among a core group, to enhance outcomes for young people involved with, communities in Bourke and expansion to two or heading for the justice system. other NSW regional areas with high rates of Our thanks to Dubbo for its openness and interest in working with us, to our Reference Group incarceration $100,000 (total $216,000) members, to the Dubbo Working Group and to Patrick Shepherdson and Elizabeth McEntyre for their work on Dubbo Conversations. Special thanks to Sharon Tomas for working with us from Dubbo.
* Dubbo Conversations is available to download from the VFFF website www.vfff.org.au VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 35 34 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 35 Strategic Programs (continued) Good Pitch2 Australia Good Pitch began as a partnership between BRIT DOC and Sundance Documentary Film Program and has gained momentum since the first event in 2009. In 2011 a satellite version of the forum, Good Pitch2, uni 2 beyond at The Social Traders’ Pitch event in Sydney, 2015 was launched with the support of the Ford Foundation, enabling regional organisations all over the world to put on their own Good Pitch events. Shark Island Institute and Documentary Australia Good Pitch 2 2 Australia, ‘The Opposition’ Foundation launched Good Pitch Australia in discussion, September 2014 October 2014. Seven social purpose documentaries (photo credit: Wendy McDougall) Social Impact Investment with potential to be linked to high impact outreach and education campaigns were presented and discussed at the Sydney Opera House. More than Funding snapshot $2 million in philanthropic funding was committed and 60 new partnerships forged. $80,000 1% 1 N.B. The second Good Pitch2 Australia event $300,000 Total funding Proportion of funding Distribution occurred in September 2015, with six documentaries Towards the operating costs presented and over $4.7 million raised. of Good Pitch2 Australia, an initiative to connect With the ambitious goal of having 5% of social purpose Australian VFFF continues to support the the corpus invested on an impact first basis documentaries with new allies growth of the available pool by 30 June 2017, we are pleased that in and partners to advance change February 2015 Matt Wacher was appointed on important social issues. of ‘impact first’ investment Chief Investment Officer for our investment opportunities, providing time and manager Cambooya. Matt and his team have demonstrated the funding to sector led initiatives. expertise and enthusiasm to find mission- Directors approved the first distribution aligned impact investment opportunities. under the Social Impact Investment Program Cambooya has developed an investment Supporting Australian to the School for Social Entrepreneurs framework and there is agreement at Board -Partnering for Scale and Impact. This level that investments be made on an impact initiative mentors social enterprises first basis. Philanthropy until they are investment ready. VFFF VFFF is confident the time invested in has participated in forums and provided exploring investment opportunities and Funding snapshot mentoring and encouragement to a number developing the sector will grow the impact of social enterprises during the year. VFFF brings to our priority beneficiary groups. % Impact investing US-style was a major $225,000 3 $75,000 3 focus for the twelve family foundations Total funding Proportion of Average distribution Distributions that were part of Philanthropy Australia’s 2015 distribution funding size Family and Private Foundations Tour to New York and Washington. Tim Fairfax and School for Social Entrepreneurs Jenny Wheatley represented VFFF on the Partnering for Scale & Impact $80,000 VFFF seeks to encourage others to give Continuing distribution tour, which provided insights into portfolios (total $240,000) and makes grants to support the growth that achieved risk weighted returns with Operational support for this initiative. of the philanthropic sector in Australia. Philanthropy Australia 100% of assets invested for impact. A key Leading Membership $25,000 (total $75,000) takeaway from the tour was that a number of foundations are focussed on assisting not for profit organisations become self-sustaining Recipient 2015 distribution by making investments in patient equity and Recipient Documentary Australia Foundation below commercial interest rate loans. Good Pitch2 Australia $200,000 over two distributions (total $300,000) Towards the operating costs of Good Pitch2² Australia, an initiative to connect social purpose Australian documentaries with new allies and partners to advance change on important social issues.
36 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 37 New Chairman’s Report, Generation Vincent Fairfax Ethics Philanthropy in Leadership Foundation Three generations of the Fairfax family at Triple Care Farm
I thank Mike Murray who resigned from the VFFF works with the Vincent Fairfax The quality outcomes delivered by the Board in March 2015 after seven years of family to encourage family involvement Vincent Fairfax Fellowship (VFF), the valuable service to VFELF. We are delighted Founders’ in the work of the Foundation. flagship course of the Centre for Ethical that he will maintain his association with the Since 2010, members of the New Generation Leadership (CEL) continues to impress. family and Foundation as a member of the have been actively involved in a range Audit Finance and Investment Committee for The course is achieving the aims envisioned VFFF and VFELF. I am deeply grateful too, Interest of initiatives that are growing family by its namesake, my grandfather Sir Vincent participation in the work of VFFF. for the wise counsel of our continuing Board Fairfax: increasing the dialogue about ethics members, Rob Cartwright, Debby King- The New Generation have the opportunity to in the wider community, equipping leaders Rowley and Peter Wilson. Distribution be members of the Grants Committee which to better respond to ethical dilemmas and In November 2012, Directors adopted the provides practical experience in governance emulate model ethical behaviour. In 2015/16 CEL will deliver a module of the concept of supporting special distributions VFF in Sydney. The prospect of having the and grants assessment. They also attend site Cohorts 20 and 21, that undertook the for projects demonstrating particular course delivered nationally is enormously visits and conferences. Fellowship during the year, included leaders relevance to the founders and the family. exciting. The VFFF Grants Committee commenced from the commercial, public and not for profit operations in 2012 with delegated authority sectors. It was pleasing too for the Board to Angus White Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust to approve grants from $10,000 to $25,000. hear that the course is assisting past Fellow Chairman VFELF Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens’ Bicentenary Eugenia Kolivos in her discussions about It has been a successful strategy, yielding a $324,273 (total $561,461) ethical behaviour in her workplace and high level of lively engagement across the To develop an interactive educational further, that she was appointed to the Board third generation of the family and excellent program for the new ‘Calyx’, to be of Corrs Chambers Westgarth Lawyers. We granting outcomes for VFFF. inaugurated at the Gardens’ bicentenary also thank Peter Greste for giving the 2015 celebration in June 2016. The Gardens Recognising these achievements and the VFF Graduation Address. His full and frank were a favourite place of Sir Vincent Fairfax increasing expertise of the Committee, discussion about the ethical dilemmas facing and Lady Fairfax. The Foundation’s first in March 2015 VFFF Directors approved the media and his suggested solutions were distribution to the Gardens for the Fernery in increasing the Committee’s grant making food for thought for the very diverse audience May 1991 was initiated by Lady Fairfax who delegation from $25,000 to $50,000. The that turned out to hear him speak. was intrigued by the propagation of ferns minimum VFFF grant was also increased on the then Director’s office window sills from $10,000 to $20,000. and charmed by Babbacetto’s architectural drawings for the Fernery. Grants Committee 2015 Annabel Dulhunty Prue Pateras Andy Fairfax Angus White Recipient Emilia Kefford Emma White Sarah O’Brien
VFELF Board of Directors Angus White, Chairman The Honourable Robert Cartwright Deborah King-Rowley
Journalist Peter Greste speaking Peter Wilson AM at the graduation of the 20th cohort of Fellows, June 2015 38 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 39 Our Board and Team
Board left to right: Ruth Armytage, Angus White, Suzanne Cridge, Robert Cartwright, Tim Fairfax, Sally White and James Millar.
(photo credit: Raphaela Rosella)
Team left to right: Annabel Dulhunty, Emily Fuller, Jenny Wheatley, David Hardie, Beyond Empathy, Festival of the Brogla, Moree December 2014 Candice Van Doosselaere and Sue Goudie.
Back cover image: Mount Tilga in Condobolin (photo credit: Michael Holmes)
40 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 VFFF ANNUAL REPORT 2015 41 Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation GPO Box 1551, Sydney NSW 2001 Level 7, 99 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000 (02) 9291 2727 [email protected] vfff.org.au