HISTORY

Established Over 45 Years Ago

The Australiana Fund was established in 1978 as an independent collecting body following the encouragement of Mrs Tamara Fraser, wife of the then Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser.

During an official visit to Washington in 1976, Mrs Fraser had been greatly impressed by the initiative taken by Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961 to establish the White House Historical Association, to acquire fine American decorative arts and works of art in keeping with the historical interiors of the White House.  

The Fund’s purpose is to enrich Australia’s four official residences – Government House and The Lodge in Canberra, Admiralty House and Kirribilli House in Sydney – with artworks that are Australian by origin or association, to illustrate the nation’s history and creativity through its cultural and artistic legacy. The collection has a unique role as a ‘working collection’ bringing aspects of Australia’s story to life while meeting the very practical requirements of the houses. The Fund works in close consultation with the management of the official residences.

 THE GENESIS OF THE FUND

In May 1976, Tamara Fraser, wife of Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, was seated at dinner with Sir Andrew Grimwade, then President and Life Member of the National Gallery of Victoria. Conversation turned to the cultural achievements of US President John F Kennedy, with both Mrs Fraser and Sir Andrew expressing their particular admiration for The White House Historical Association, founded in 1961 by Jacqueline Kennedy to acquire fine American décor and artworks in keeping with the historical integrity of the residence and principal workplace of the President. Mrs Fraser noted how a fine-quality collection could reflect Australian history and traditions, showcase the best of our heritage, culture and craftsmanship, and present a sense of historical continuity in the official residences.

A month later, Sir Andrew submitted a draft Proposed Charter for The Lodge Acquisition Committee, advising that ‘there are many Australians who will be eager to support your proposal to enhance the historical and national character of The Lodge’. It proposed a Committee of twenty to twenty-five members, drawn from national and state galleries, historical societies, collectors, potential donors and influential citizens. With the Prime Minister’s wife as President and a Chairman distinguished in the arts, the Committee would acquire Australian artworks of historical value to enhance the national character of the Prime Minister’s Lodge. Membership would be honorary, with no special privileges or entitlements. It would be non-political and expected to continue its activities irrespective of changes in government or Prime Minister. An Acquisitions Subcommittee would provide guidelines for acquiring artworks and have sole responsibility for approving or declining potential acquisitions.

Discussions with Sir Geoffrey Yeend, Head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, led Prime Minister Fraser to suggest that a separate committee take on the management of all four official establishments. Its purpose would be:

To examine and make recommendations on the accommodation needs of the Governor-General and the Prime Minister, their guests and staff, including the standard of services, facilities, furniture and fittings necessary for the efficient operation of the Official Establishments, in both the short and long term … In its deliberations, the Committee will take into account such things as architectural features and decor, precincts, ceremonial requirements, historical aspects, exhibits and works of art and, in doing so, will ensure that opportunity is available for adequate expression of the personal preferences of the incumbents, particularly with respect to the private living quarters.

During a visit to Washington in July 1976, Mrs Fraser met Clement Conger, curator of The White House and Diplomatic Rooms of the State Department, who guided her through the magnificent reception rooms. The visit reinforced the idea that this approach to furnishing would work well in Australia’s official establishments. In the months that followed, the inaugural Committee on Official Establishments was appointed and charged with the task of looking after the buildings’ interiors, exteriors and grounds, with Sir Andrew Grimwade as Chairman, along with five other notable members: Mr Guilford Bell (Deputy Chairman), Dame Helen Blaxland, the Honourable James Cope, Mrs H B Gullett and Mr J T McGilligan (Secretary).

The Committee quickly recognised that the residences needed decorative enhancement and recommended the formation of an Australiana Fund, to be autonomous, not advisory, and to be independent of the government. In this way people could donate works or money freely, without the perception of giving to the Those present at the inaugural meeting on 3 March 1978 of The Australiana Fund, gathered together on the steps of Government House in Canberra. government, and it would also banish any misconceptions that the incumbents owned the objects, furniture and art. The Committee of Official Establishments, in cooperation with The Australiana Fund, would furnish and decorate the public areas of the official residences in a coherent manner and oversee placement of Fund acquisitions in the residences. In this way, the reception areas of the houses would be kept to a consistently high standard.

On Friday, 3 March 1978, The Australiana Fund held its inaugural meeting, which resulted in the honorary appointments of Mrs Fraser as President and Dame Helen Blaxland as Chair. John McPhee was appointed as The Fund’s inaugural Director of Fine Arts. It was anticipated that the Governor-General would be the Patron and that the President would be the spouse of the Prime Minister. Through these connections, it was anticipated that the occupants of the official residences would feel involved in The Fund and its purpose. The Governor-General, Sir Zelman Cowen AK, GCMG, GCVO, QC, accepted Prime Minister Fraser’s invitation ‘on behalf of the Board of the Australiana Fund and the Government’ to be the first patron of The Australiana Fund.

Sonya Abbey, Fine Art Advisor, Collecting for the nation - The Australiana Fund

FORTY YEARS ON

To mark 40 years of The Australiana Fund in 2018, The Fund launched the 40th Anniversary Acquisition Fund so that The Fund can continue to develop the collection as a visual expression of our nation’s distinctive cultural heritage and contemporary creativity. Fittingly, Evert Ploeg’s portrait of Tamie Fraser is the first acquisition celebrating The Fund’s four decades of collecting and, the generosity of its members and supporters.

On 12 October 2018 The Australiana Fund announced the acquisition of the portrait: “The Australiana Fund is delighted to announce its latest acquisition – a portrait of The Fund’s founder, Mrs Tamara Fraser AO by distinguished Sydney artist Evert Ploeg. Commissioned through the generosity of the members and supporters of The Fund, the portrait celebrates the 40th Anniversary of The Australiana Fund. Jennifer Sanders, Chair of The Fund said that ‘most significantly, the portrait is public recognition of the outstanding contribution Mrs Fraser has made to the nation through her advocacy and support for The Australiana Fund and, for the Open Gardens scheme.’ The press release also advised that: “The artist, Evert Ploeg, traveled to Thurulgoona, the Fraser’s family property in Victoria, to paint a large portion of the artwork from life - choosing to depict Mrs. Fraser in her cherished garden. It is well known that Mrs. Fraser’s passion is her garden.”

View Video - Mrs Tamara Fraser By Evert Ploeg