As we approached our centenary in 1988, the huge Equity Trustees' Centenary Tapestry was presented to the people of Victoria...

As we approached our centenary in 1988, a special piece of art was commissioned. The huge Equity Trustees' Centenary Tapestry was presented to the people of Victoria in the presence of the Right Honourable Sir Ninian Stephen, who was Governor-General of Australia at the time.

Sir Ninian, who passed away in 2017, had been a director of Equity Trustees between 1964 and 1970.  He left the position when he was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria (1970 – 1972) before going on to become a Justice of the High Court of Australia (1972 – 1982), and then Australia first Ambassador for the Environment (1989 – 1992). 

The tapestry measures 2 by 4 metres and was designed by the renowned Australian graphic designer Gareth Emergy. It took three weavers to produce: Sara Lindsay, Tim Gresham, Joanne Feder. 

The tapestry depicts the floral and faunal emblems of the state where Equity Trustees was established – Victoria. These include the Leadbeater’s Possum, the Melophaga Cassidir bird, and the pink heath, a native flower. 

The tapestry currently resides in the Science and Life Gallery at the Melbourne Museum. You can watch a short video about Sir Ninian and his lifetime of achievements here.