Australian Philanthropy Awards recognise visionary givers

An international campaign to eradicate nuclear weapons, a project supporting an Indigenous women’s ranger program in Arnhem Land, an initiative transforming access to education for young women in Cambodia, a training program for environmental community leaders, an program to revitalise tourism in Queensland’s outback, Australia’s first justice reinvestment initiative and an influential member of the arts community have all been recognised at the 2019 Australian Philanthropy Awards held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales last night.

The recipients of the fifth annual Australian Philanthropy Awards have been recognised for supporting initiatives that make real change in the community, both locally and internationally.

Media Release   Official Awards Booklet

 

Award Recipients

Leading Philanthropist:
Philip Bacon AM

Art dealer and philanthropist Philip Bacon AM is an influential senior member of Australian arts culture.

Described by a former Chair of the National Portrait Gallery as ‘Mr Bountiful’ in the sense that he steps forward and helps arts bodies where he can, Philip is known for his wise counsel, transformative and well-considered giving, and his advocacy for public access. He was named a 2017 True Leader by the Australian Financial Review Boss magazine and identified as one of 21 people changing Australia.

Philip has been Opera Australia’s foremost advocate of new Australian works, lending considerable support to the development and production of operas like The Eternity Man, Whiteley, Bliss, Batavia and Eucalyptus.

His philanthropy has also ensured Australia’s art history, including the unique documentary heritage of Australia’s commercial galleries, continues to be captured, preserved and promoted to collectors, art professionals, artists, researchers and people with a passion for art.

Philip has taken on a national leadership role in supporting the arts through personal and professional leadership and advocacy and has opened important communication channels between different art forms such as opera and visual arts. This, in turn, has meant that the market for both these art forms has cross-pollinated and expanded.

Best Large Grant
Dusseldorp Forum, Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF) and Maranguka Backbone Community Organisation, Bourke (Auspiced by Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT) for Maranguka’s Justice Reinvestment Strategy.

Best Small Grant
Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) and the Barcoo Way Committee for the Barcoo Way project.

Environmental Philanthropy Award
Melliodora Fund (and six other sub funds of the Australian Communities Foundation, plus 10 other funders since 2014) for The Change Agency Community Organising Fellowship.

Gender Wise Philanthropy Award
Atlassian Foundation International for Room to Read Australia.

Indigenous Philanthropy Award
Klein Family Foundation and Karrkad Kanjdji Trust (KKT) for the Warddeken Daluk Ranger Program.

International Philanthropy Award
Eve Kantor and Mark Wootton, the Kantor Family through the Poola and Dara Foundations for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) Australia.

Without the support and expertise of our partners and sponsors the Awards would not be possible, so a special thank you to Deakin University, the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN), the Australian Women Donors Network (AWDN), Netwealth Investments Limited, Ninti One and the Art Gallery of NSW.