Programs

Over the Years

The Fairley Foundation has supported thousands of people and hundreds of programs across Greater Shepparton for more than half a century, inspiring achievement, and aspiration among people from diverse backgrounds of all ages and abilities.

our other programs

Being involved with the Awaken Dance Theatre from their beginning stages in 2018 to their current developments has been an exciting journey for both parties. Including the Australian Ballet as mentors, the incredible training experience of Awaken offers many young dancers in Shepparton, amazing learning opportunities, practical skills development and pathways for their interest in this artform.  Their recent seasons of BLOOM & AUTOMATIC were an exciting journey and outstanding experience and viewing for all involved.

A longstanding relationship with Kaiela Arts has played a vital role in the Fairley Foundation’s advocacy for increased recognition of Aboriginal arts and cultural expression in regional Victoria.

 

This advocacy is through various forms that include local Aboriginal artist sponsorship to assist in the upskill of textile medium to providing support of the development of design skills for an artist within the screen print medium.

Each year the Sir Andrew and Lady Fairley Foundation partners with La Trobe University to present a lecture from a prominent Australian.

African House is a safe, welcoming space where all people who identify with African cultures can gather to preserve, honour, celebrate and pass on African cultures through stories, music, dance, food and fellowship.  They provide and support capacity building for people of African heritage to assist them to participate successfully and fully in the wider Goulburn Valley community.

The Fairley Foundation Trustees understand due to the covid pandemic that short-term funding deficits can be created when venue hire facilities come to a halt.

As a result, the Foundation supports a part time local African community member to train as the African House Manager to support venue hire opportunities with existing local community groups and to expand and attract new partnerships.  This type of capacity building funding will directly support African House to become more sustainable.

The Australian National Piano Award showcases some of Australia’ most brilliant emerging classical pianists and is open to Australian based pianists aged 21-35 years. The Award embodies the highest national and international music standards and recognises the pursuit of professional excellence, technical brilliance and extraordinary flair. 

The Shepparton community welcomes these young pianists with warmth and enthusiasm to hear piano music in a cooperative festival-like atmosphere.  The benefits for young emerging artists are enormous:  a substantial period of focus on performance, the necessity for stamina of concentration and wide ranging repertoire, and good opportunities for feedback from industry professionals as well as from a large audience under professional performance conditions in a fine hall.  The Fairley Foundation is honoured to support this event which showcases some of Australia’s most brilliant emerging classical pianists.

Anna Turnbull

Trustee

Anna Turnbull is a Goulburn Valley community-member, appointed trustee in 2019. She is a communications specialist with a Bachelor of Arts (political science). Working initially in newspapers as a reporter, she has gone on to develop her knowledge of the water industry and natural resource management through various media and communications roles in the Shepparton region.

Her past board roles include the Rodney Neighbourhood Steiner Kindergarten and Shepparton Arts Festival. Anna is a current board member for the Greater Shepparton Foundation.

Georgina Fairley

Trustee

Georgina has been practising Architecture for six years, following completion of her Masters of Architecture in 2010. Her current focus is on design for community and learning in both metropolitan and regional areas. With interests ranging across a wide range of subjects, Georgina keenly seeks ways to engage with the world around her, from further education and attending local events to volunteering.

Andrew Mott

Trustee

Andrew Mott has been involved in music education for 30 years with experience in both regional and metropolitan schools and across numerous government and independent school music programs. He undertook a two year stint in Michigan, USA, completing a Masters in Music. In recent years, he has served as Director of Music at Blackburn High School and as the Head of Music, Caulfield Campus, Caulfield Grammar.

He has a particular interest in the development of music ensemble performance and has worked in all areas across symphony orchestras to jazz big bands. In 2008 Andrew conceived and staged the 80th birthday celebrations for Australian jazz luminary, Don Burrows, which was filmed by ABC TV. He has also served as a member of the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Music Board and on the AMEB Examinations Advisory Board, representing government schools at various times. He continues to be active in the field of Australian music education and creating opportunities for young musicians.

Dr Fiona Phillips

Trustee

Fiona is the daughter of Rosemary Hopkins (nee Fairley) and was appointed a Trustee in December 2013.

Fiona has taught in and through music in a variety of educational and community settings in regional Victoria. Her work with Early Years and Primary School practicing and pre-service teachers is significant and she currently holds the position of Associate Lecturer in Arts Education at Deakin University, Geelong.

Her research and scholarship has focused on the ongoing practices of exploring new pedagogies, to inform and facilitate change in Arts Education (Music) within a located, cloud-based and virtual teaching and learning environment. She loves to sing and help others find their voice.

Jim Freemantle AO

Trustee

Jim Freemantle, a grandnephew of Sir Andrew and Lady Fairley, is a Company Director and former banker.

He has been the Chair and Director of a number of public, private and Government organisations over the past 15 years with a particular interest in the not-for-profit sector.

James is passionate about supporting people with disabilities, specifically through the provision of affordable housing and employment opportunities.

Terry Campbell AO

Trustee

Terry Campbell AO is a great-nephew of the late Sir Andrew and Lady Fairley, for whom the foundation is named. Terry is Senior Chairman of Goldman Sachs, the global and investment banking firm. He is also Chairman of Australian Foundation Investment Company (AFIC) and Mirabooka Investments Limited.

He is a supporter of corporate social responsibility through contributions to community and charitable organisations. He is also a strong advocate of Australian Business Participation in the Arts, and is the Vice Chair of the National Gallery of Australia Foundation.

Carmel Johnson

Deputy Chair

Carmel Johnson has been living and working in the Goulburn Valley for more than 35 years. During this time Carmel has primarily worked in fundraising and community relations roles, and with her Special Education qualifications, served as the inaugural Principal of Verney Road Special School and later as Manager at Connect GV in Shepparton.

Carmel’s current role is Development Manager at SAM (Shepparton Art Museum).  Prior to joining SAM, Carmel led the GV Health Foundation for thirty years to ensure that the community of the Goulburn Valley was well served. Carmel was the inaugural Chair of the Shepparton Arts Festival and serves on a number of corporate and community boards. Carmel is Deputy Chair of the Foundation

Andrew Fairley AM

Chair

Andrew Fairley is a Commercial and Equity Lawyer at Hall & Wilcox in Melbourne. He has a long involvement with the philanthropic sector as both an advisor and trustee. He has been Chair of the Fairley Foundation since 1999 and is a great nephew of Sir Andrew Fairley. 

He is also Deputy Chair of the Mornington Peninsula Foundation. He is a past Chair of both the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, and the Luke Batty Foundation. 

He is Chair of Qualitas Limited, a listed funds manager with assets under management of $6.2B. He is also a Director of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. He is the Consul General for Finland in Victoria.