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Celebrating 30 Years: Vincent Fairfax Fellowship

Thirty years ago, the Vincent Fairfax Fellowship was established to honour the life, work and example of Sir Vincent. Every year, 22 leaders join the Fellowship to develop their ethical leadership practice, expertly guided through the program by VFFF’s delivery partner, Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership.

To mark the 30 year milestone of the program, Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership has published a digital anthology, entitled (at) the intersection. This publication not only reflects on the history of the program, but also captures insights from past Fellows. What are the pressing issues faced by leaders today? And how are alumni utilising their ethical leadership practice to meet these challenges.

Read (at) the intersection here.

Members of the Fairfax Family with Ed Santow at the 2025 Sir Vincent Fairfax Oration.

Unsurprisingly, when alumni are asked about the challenges they see as most requiring ethical leadership, emerging technologies is one of the top five themes. It was therefore highly appropriate that Edward Santow delivered the 2025 Sir Vincent Fairfax Oration on the eve of the anthology’s publication. Ed is the co-director of the Human Technology Institute and Professor of Responsible Technology at the University of Technology Sydney. During his address, Ed thoughtfully observed that artificial intelligence anchors us to our past, as it is our documented history which is the training data for our AI powered machines. This reflection provided many in the audience cause for thought. The transcript is available here.

To wrap up the 30 year celebrations, alumni from across three decades gathered at an event in Sydney to reflect on the lessons of ethical leadership and how these lessons will continue to hold them in good stead in the future. A memorable part of the event was Professor Monica Attard OAM interviewing Sir Vincent and Lady Nancy’s children, Sally White OAM, John B Fairfax AO, Tim Fairfax AC and Ruth Armytage AM. Attendees were grateful for the opportunity to hear reflections from Sally, John, Tim and Ruth on their father’s values and how these values shaped Sir Vincent’s own approach to leadership.

“Let us remember that the power and wealth of a democracy is measured not only by the number and quality of its eminent leaders but by thousands of “little” leaders who provide its real strength.”

Sir Vincent Fairfax, 8 October 1983.