Our Story, Our People

Our People

Our Founders

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Sir Vincent Fairfax

Vincent Fairfax (1909-1993), a third-generation Australian, began his life in rural Queensland at Cambooya near Toowoomba and he maintained his links with the land all his life.

Sir Vincent was a leading member of the business community, holding numerous directorships and official positions with some of Australia’s major financial firms, organisations with interests in rural Australia and the Anglican Church. He was a Chairman of the AMP and a Director of John Fairfax Limited, publishers of The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and other newspapers. He was made a Commander of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1960 and created a Knight Bachelor in 1971.

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Lady Nancy Fairfax

Lady Nancy Fairfax shared her husband’s vision and commitment to VFFF. She was a founding Trustee of the Foundation which she served with dedication for nearly 40 years. She was Chairman from 1993 to 2001, retiring in 2002 and serving as Patron until her death in 2007.

Nancy Fairfax was made an OBE for her work with kindergarten-level education and the University of New South Wales bestowed an Honorary Doctorate of Letters in 2004. In 2008, she was appointed AO posthumously in the Australia Day Honours List.

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