“Darvell’s leadership and reach in the philanthropic sector has been wide and significant over the years through his many chairmanships, and his trustee and director roles at numerous trusts, foundations and businesses. ,” Mr Schwartz said.

“Darvell is being honoured this year as he retires as Chairman of HMS Trust after 5 decades leading the Trust – first as a Trustee and since 1969 as their Chairman. He will officially retire as a Trustee in November this year after 50 years of continuous stewardship of the HMS Trust. Under his leadership, the Trust reached a milestone of over $100 million in grants distributed.

Our first Life Member, Jill Reichstein has said, and I quote: “…you think of 50 years of being involved in a philanthropic trust that’s given away a hundred million.  Can you imagine the lives that have been changed through that?  Through the good governance, the good management and heartfelt consideration of the projects.  Darvell’s got a lot of fantastic stories…”  

“Through tonight’s award, Darvell joins Philanthropy Australia’s Life Members:  Charles Goode, the late Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, Jill Reichstein, The Stegley Foundation and Meriel Wilmot-Wright. Tonight we are honoured to appoint Darvell Hutchinson Life Member of Philanthropy Australia.”

In response, Darvell Hutchinson offered wise counsel to the gathering: “My nine years as a Council Member, and President in 1988 of the Australian Association of Philanthropy, provided learnings, especially the benefits of being collaborative with our funding peers so that our grant giving is leveraged to more meaningful outcomes, rather than operating within our own limited ‘silos’.

“Today more than ever, grant making needs to be strategic, creative and collaborative.  After 50 years in philanthropy, one thing I know, is that significant social impacts are very hard to achieve alone.

“As to the future of Australian philanthropy, it gives me great confidence for the decades ahead when I see the growth trend in our sector. The growing number of successful business entrepreneurs who have established sizable foundations in recent years, and the encouraging increase in private ancillary funds, reflects a broadening interest and commitment to social good.

“Philanthropy Australia has played an important role in encouraging this trend and will continue to play a critical role in promoting and developing the philanthropic tradition in this country.

“I am honoured to be conferred a Life Member of Philanthropy Australia and to share this evening with so many colleagues, friends and my wife Barbara.  I wish everyone associated with PA every success in the exciting decades which lie ahead.’

In addition to the Life Membership, Deborah Cheetham, Head of the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Art and Cultural Development at the University of Melbourne, announced the Hutchinson Indigenous Residency, a perpetual award granted by the  trustees of the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust to honour Darvell’s 50 years of extraordinary stewardship.

Read more: Media Release Hutchinson Indigenous Residency Announcement 2 September 2014

NoticeBoard – Hutchinson Indigenous Residency