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At the March meeting of the Felton Bequests’ Committee, members of the Committee recorded their deep and enduring appreciation for Sir Andrew Grimwade CBE and his 50 years of service to the Felton Bequest as a Member and, since 2004, as Chairman of the Felton Bequests Committee. The Committee is extremely thankful for Sir Andrew’s stewardship and members of the Committee noted with affection their high regard for his breadth of engagement, extensive knowledge, sharp mind, graciousness, commitment to community and to the NGV, and the joy he brought to his role as Chairman. 
 
The Committee unanimously appointed Rupert Myer AO as the new Chair of the Felton Bequests Committee. Mr Myer joined the Committee in May 2004 bringing extensive experience in business, community and philanthropy. Mr Myer became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2005 for service to the arts and community through a range of philanthropic and service organisations, and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2015.  
 
Mr Myer is currently the President of The Myer Foundation, and a Director of the Yulgilbar Foundation and The Aranday Foundation. He holds a Master of Arts from Cambridge University and a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours from the University of Melbourne. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
 
The Committee was delighted to appoint Fred Grimwade as the new continuing member of the Committee. Mr Grimwade is a non-executive director and chairman of various ASX listed public and private companies with broad commercial, strategic, financial, governance and operational experience. He is a great, great grandson of Alfred Felton’s business partner Frederick S Grimwade and Sir Andrew Grimwade’s nephew.
 
Mr Grimwade was previously a Director of the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (2011-2022); he is a former board member for The Ian Potter Museum of Art at the University of Melbourne and a former board director of the National Gallery of Victoria Foundation. Mr Grimwade holds an MBA from Columbia University, New York and a Bachelor of Commerce and Law with Honours from the University of Melbourne. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
 
Mr Grimwade joins the current members of the Felton Bequests Committee: 
 
Carol Schwartz AO 
Professor (Emeritus) Sally Walker AM
Janet Whiting AM
 
Supported by the Equity Trustees Secretariat: 
 
Amanda Sartor, National Manager, Charitable Trusts 
Emily Cormack, Grant Program Manager
Ashley Fairfield, Philanthropy Coordinator 
 
Since its establishment in 1904, upon Alfred Felton’s death, the Felton Bequest has given over 15,000 works of art to the National Gallery of Victoria with a current market value of more than $2.8 billion. Half of its income has been directed towards charitable causes with a particular focus on women and children. The Felton Bequest is one of Victoria’s largest and oldest philanthropic trusts

 

Image Left: Rupert Myer AO. Right: Fred Grimwade

Rupert Myer AO and Sir Andrew Grimwade CBE